The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has levied a fine of ₹5 lakh on Drishti IAS (VDK Eduventures Pvt. Ltd.) for issuing deceptive advertisements about the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022 outcomes. The institute’s advertisement highlighted “216+ selections in UPSC CSE 2022,” featuring names and photos of successful candidates.
Upon investigation, CCPA determined that the advertisement was misleading due to the omission of critical details about the courses taken by these candidates. The probe revealed that 162 of the 216 claimed candidates (75%) had only participated in the institute’s free Interview Guidance Programme (IGP) after independently passing the Preliminary and Mains stages. Only 54 candidates were enrolled in IGP plus additional courses. This intentional withholding of key information led consumers to falsely assume Drishti IAS guided these candidates through all exam phases, constituting a misleading advertisement under Section 2(28) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Repeat Offense by Drishti IAS
This marks the second time CCPA has penalized Drishti IAS for similar misconduct. In September 2024, the authority issued a final order against the institute for falsely claiming “150+ selections in UPSC CSE 2021.” Drishti IAS provided details of 161 candidates, of whom 148 were enrolled in IGP, 7 in the Mains Mentorship Program, 4 in the GS Foundation Program, 1 in an Optional course, and 1 with unspecified enrollment. CCPA imposed a ₹3 lakh penalty and ordered the institute to cease the misleading claims.
Despite the prior penalty and warning, Drishti IAS repeated the offense with an escalated claim of “216+ selections” for 2022, demonstrating ongoing disregard for consumer protection regulations.
Impact on Consumers
The failure to disclose essential course details violated consumers’ right to informed decision-making under Section 2(9) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Such advertisements foster unrealistic expectations and unduly sway the choices of prospective students and parents, especially when bold claims lack transparent backing.
CCPA Actions
To date, CCPA has sent 54 notices to various coaching institutes for deceptive ads and unfair practices. Fines totaling over ₹90.6 lakh have been imposed on 26 institutes, accompanied by instructions to halt misleading claims. CCPA observed that all targeted institutes omitted vital course information about successful candidates, classifying this as misleading under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The authority has stressed that coaching institutes must ensure full transparency in their advertisements, enabling students to make well-informed academic decisions.
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