Government Issues Guidelines to Tackle Misleading Advertisements by Coaching Centres
Government Issues Guidelines to Tackle Misleading Advertisements by Coaching Centres ( Pic For Representational Purpose Only )
New rules aim to curb exaggerated success claims and protect consumer rights.
The Indian government has introduced new guidelines to address misleading advertisements by coaching institutes, following investigations that exposed inflated claims of student success and other deceptive practices. The move targets the widespread issue of institutes falsely promoting their selection rates to lure new students.
Union Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare highlighted findings from the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), which revealed discrepancies in the success claims of several coaching centres. For example, in the 2022 UPSC Civil Services Exam, while UPSC recommended only 993 candidates, 11 coaching institutes claimed 3,636 selections. Similarly, in 2023, nine institutes made identical exaggerated claims despite only 1,016 candidates being recommended. Some centres were also found reusing the same candidates’ photos across advertisements and falsifying details about their courses and duration.
The guidelines, titled “Prevention of Misleading Advertisement in Coaching Sector”, prohibit false claims about course details, faculty qualifications, fee structures, selection rates, and job guarantees. Coaching centres are now required to obtain written consent from successful candidates before using their names, photos, or testimonials in promotional materials. Disclaimers must be prominently displayed, and accurate information about courses must be disclosed to students.
These rules apply to all academic coaching services, including education, guidance, study programmes, and tuition, but exclude counselling, sports, and creative activities. The guidelines also mandate that institutes truthfully represent their services, facilities, and course recognitions, ensuring they comply with regulatory bodies like AICTE and UGC. Violations will attract penalties under the Consumer Protection Act.
The government emphasized that while it supports the role of coaching centres, their advertising must respect consumer rights. Khare advised prospective students to verify the claims of coaching institutes and understand the role such centres played in the success of candidates. Many students reportedly clear preliminary and main exams independently, seeking only interview guidance from coaching centres.
These measures aim to bring transparency to the coaching sector, ensuring students can make informed decisions while safeguarding their rights against exploitative practices.
