In a significant move to protect the interests of UPSC aspirants, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed fines of Rs 8 lakh each on two well-known civil services coaching institutes, Dikshant IAS and Abhimanu IAS. This action stems from the institutes” publication of misleading advertisements and engagement in unfair trade practices.
The penalties were announced on November 1 by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and are part of a broader initiative to tackle deceptive practices within India”s expanding coaching industry. The CCPA, under the leadership of Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Anupam Mishra, found the institutions guilty of falsely claiming credit for UPSC results, improperly using candidates” photographs without consent, and hiding vital information that could mislead potential students about the effectiveness of their courses.
The complaints that led to these actions began when UPSC exam toppers raised concerns about their unauthorized use in promotional materials. In the case of Dikshant IAS, Mini Shukla, who achieved an All India Rank of 96 in the UPSC CSE 2021, reported that her name and image were used without her permission in advertisements claiming “200+ Results in UPSC CSE 2021.” Shukla clarified that she had never been a student at Dikshant IAS and had only participated in a mock interview session at Chahal Academy, which was later discovered to be co-organized with Dikshant IAS.
Despite multiple notices from the CCPA, Dikshant IAS did not provide satisfactory evidence to support its claims or to show that it had obtained consent from the candidates featured in its advertisements.
The investigation into Dikshant IAS revealed that its claims were significantly exaggerated. The institute had asserted it achieved “200+ results in UPSC 2021” but could only produce 116 enrollment records. Furthermore, it failed to provide any documentation proving that the mock interviews were conducted in collaboration with Chahal Academy. The CCPA concluded that the institute concealed essential information, leading prospective students to mistakenly believe it had trained successful candidates throughout the entire UPSC process, including Prelims, Mains, and Interviews, when its involvement was limited to a brief guidance session.
“The advertisements deliberately concealed critical details about the courses undertaken by successful candidates,” the CCPA order stated. “This omission created a false impression of contribution to their success, misleading aspirants who invest years of effort and significant financial resources in coaching.”
The ministry underscored that misleading educational advertisements undermine consumer rights, as aspirants make crucial decisions regarding their future based on these claims.
Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, all consumers have the right to accurate information regarding goods and services. Misrepresentations by institutions regarding their results or endorsements violate Sections 2(28) and 2(47) of the Act, which address misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices, respectively. The CCPA determined that Dikshant IAS not only misrepresented facts but also deliberately concealed material information, thus misleading thousands of UPSC aspirants.
In a related case, Abhimanu IAS was found guilty of using a candidate”s photo without consent and making unfounded success claims. This came to light after Natasha Goyal, who secured an All India Rank of 175 in the UPSC CSE 2022, complained that the institute falsely represented her as one of its students. The investigation revealed that while Abhimanu IAS had shared a mock interview question bank based on her Detailed Application Form (DAF), the interview never occurred. Nevertheless, the institute used her name and image in advertisements and on social media, suggesting she was a successful alumnus.
Further examination revealed Abhimanu IAS had made unverifiable claims, such as “2200+ Selections since Inception” and “10+ Selections in IAS Top 10.” The CCPA found inconsistencies, noting that the so-called “Top 10” results were primarily from 2001-2012, with only two recent instances from 2018, and even those candidates had only participated in interview sessions.
The omission of the phrase “since 1999” was deemed a material concealment, misleading aspirants into believing the institute consistently achieved top ranks. The claim of “2200+ selections since inception” also lacked clarity regarding the specific examinations these results pertained to, thereby giving a false impression that all results were from UPSC.
The CCPA emphasized that such misrepresentation affects aspirants” ability to make informed choices, particularly in an industry where significant time, money, and effort are invested. Under Section 2(9) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, educational services fall under consumer protection, mandating transparency from institutes regarding their results and methodologies.
The actions taken against Dikshant IAS and Abhimanu IAS reflect a broader issue within India”s Rs 58,000-crore coaching industry, where marketing strategies often prioritize success over integrity. Numerous coaching centers across the country have been accused of claiming credit for toppers who either did not attend their classes or were only minimally involved.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs indicated that the CCPA has issued 57 notices to various coaching institutes and imposed fines totaling over Rs 98.6 lakh on 27 institutions for similar violations to date.
Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare remarked that the authority”s approach is both punitive and reformative. “Educational institutions hold immense trust among young aspirants. Misleading them with false success stories not only breaks that trust but also violates the law,” she stated. Commissioner Anupam Mishra added that such enforcement will persist until the industry adopts more transparent practices that do not exploit students” ambitions for profit.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has urged successful candidates to report any instances of their unauthorized names or images being used in advertisements. The CCPA”s ongoing efforts against deceptive advertising, which began in 2022, have now shifted focus to coaching institutes, recognizing the need for transparency and accountability in educational services.
The Authority has mandated all coaching centers to adhere to specific guidelines, including disclosing factual data regarding student results, obtaining written consent before utilizing any candidate”s photo or testimonial, avoiding vague numerical claims devoid of evidence, and halting all misleading promotional campaigns until verified by authorities. This initiative aims to reshape the ethics of the coaching industry, compelling institutes to maintain verifiable records and engage in transparent advertising practices.
The penalties levied against Dikshant IAS and Abhimanu IAS serve as a cautionary message for India”s coaching sector, often criticized for commercializing education and exploiting the aspirations of youth. By holding these institutions accountable for their claims, the CCPA is reaffirming the government”s commitment to safeguarding consumer rights, including those of students, and sending a clear message that misleading advertisements will face repercussions.
