CCPA issues notices to 20 IAS coaching institutes for misleading advertising, imposes fine

NEW DELHI: In a major crackdown on IAS coaching institutes for indulging in misleading advertising, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Monday issued notice to 20 such academies while imposing a fine of Rs 1 lakh each on two entities.

Issuing notice to these institutes, the CCPA said that UPSC has three stages, namely prelims, mains and interview, while noting that most rank holders showcased in their advertisements, only took mock interviews from these coaching institutes.

The institutes under radar, showed an inflated number of rank holding students as their alumnus.

According to an order issued by the CCPA, the fine of Rs 1 lakh each has been imposed on IQRA IAS and Chahal Academy as well as on Rau’s IAS.

In case of Unacademy, the order has been reserved by CCPA and is likely to be issued in a day or two, sources aware of the development said.

However Rau’s IAS has appealed against the CCPA order in National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC).

Another academy called IAS Baba has got a stay order on the notice that CCPA issued, sources added.

All other institutes are under various stages of investigation and hearings, sources added. Some of the prominent IAS coaching institutes which are under investigation include Drishti IAS, BYJU's IAS, Vajirao & Reddy, Vision and Yojana among others.