In re Misleading advertisement by Vajirao & Reddy Institute (CCPA)
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) initiated suo motu proceedings against Vajirao & Reddy Institute for allegedly publishing misleading advertisements relating to the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2023 results. The institute had claimed on its website: “Over 645 Selections Out of 1016 Vacancies in UPSC CSE 2023,” along with “6 in Top 10 AIR,” “35 in Top 50 AIR,” and “64 in Top 100 AIR,” while prominently displaying names and photographs of successful candidates. These claims were published alongside advertisements for various courses, including GS/Complete Course, Foundation Course, Pre-Foundation Course, Weekend Course, Optional Subject Course, and GS Pre-cum-Mains Course.
The CCPA conducted a preliminary inquiry and issued a notice seeking documentary proof, including enrolment forms, course details, duration, date of joining, and fee receipts. In its response, the institute stated that course and tenure were irrelevant to determining whether candidates were students, that dates of joining were not recorded, and that fee details varied. It also argued that no specific advertisement guidelines governed coaching institutes.
Upon examination of enrolment records and investigation by the Director General (Investigation), significant discrepancies emerged. Out of the 645 claimed selections, 431 candidates were not enrolled in any programme offered by the institute. Many others had enrolled only in interview-related courses, such as Interview Course or Interview Guidance Programme, indicating that they had independently cleared the Preliminary and Mains stages before approaching the institute. Numerous enrolment forms did not specify course names or dates, and fee receipts and corroborative documentation were not produced. The investigation concluded that the advertisement omitted material information regarding the specific courses undertaken by successful candidates.
