The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has fined Vajirao & Reddy Institute Rs 15 lakh for deceptive advertising regarding the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2023 results. The CCPA found that the institute concealed crucial information about the courses taken by successful candidates, leading to false impressions among aspirants.
The institute’s promotional claims, such as high selection numbers and top rankings, were deemed misleading by the CCPA. An investigation revealed significant disparities between the advertised claims and the actual enrollment records of the institute. Out of the claimed successful candidates, a large portion had no association with the institute’s programs.
The CCPA emphasized that the use of candidates’ names and photos who did not avail the institute’s services constituted unfair trade practices. Despite the institute’s defense that all featured candidates had received some form of service, the CCPA maintained that transparency in advertisements is essential. The regulator directed Vajirao & Reddy Institute to cease misleading ads and ensure accurate disclosures in the future.
