Central Consumer Protection Authority Seeks Public Input on Draft Guidelines to Curb Misleading Advertisements in Coaching Sector

New Delhi: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has invited public comments on the Draft Guidelines for the Prevention of Misleading Advertisements in the Coaching Sector. The draft guidelines have been posted on the Department of Consumer Affairs website and are open for public feedback until March 16, 2024.

The initiative comes following a stakeholder consultation on Misleading Advertisements in the Coaching Sector, held on January 8, 2024. Key participants in the meeting included the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Ministry of Education, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), National Law University (NLU) Delhi, FIITJEE, Khan Global Studies, and Ikigai Law. During the meeting, there was a unanimous consensus that the CCPA should formulate guidelines to prevent misleading advertisements in the coaching sector.

The draft guidelines have been meticulously crafted after extensive discussions with various stakeholders, including coaching institutes, law firms, government representatives, and Voluntary Consumer Organizations (VCOs). They will be issued under section 18 (2) (l) of the Consumer Protection Act 2019.

The guidelines define “Coaching” as tuition, instructions, academic support, a learning program, or guidance provided by any person. They outline specific conditions for misleading advertisements in the coaching sector. A person engaged in coaching will be deemed to be involved in misleading advertising if they:

1. Conceal important information related to the course name (free or paid), duration of the course opted by the successful candidate, or any other crucial information influencing consumer decisions.
2. Make false claims about success rates, the number of selections, or rankings of students in competitive exams without providing verifiable evidence.
3. Falsely attribute students’ success solely to coaching, without acknowledging individual student efforts. The extent of coaching involvement must be clearly stated.
4. Create a false sense of urgency or fear of missing out to heighten anxiety among students or parents.
5. Engage in any other practices that mislead consumers or undermine consumer autonomy and choice.

The guidelines are applicable to all individuals engaged in coaching, aiming to protect consumers from misleading advertisements in the coaching sector. By addressing deceptive practices, the proposed guidelines will provide clarity to stakeholders and safeguard consumer interests under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Public comments on the draft guidelines can be submitted within the next 30 days through the provided link on the Department of Consumer Affairs website.