‘Coaching institutes should not make 100% selection claim’: Guidelines to curb misleading ads

NEW DELHI: In an effort to curb misleading information in advertisements, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has instructed coaching institutes to not make "100% selection or 100% job" claims. A committee has been constituted to issue guidelines with respect to misleading advertisements in the coaching sector.

It clarified that a penalty for misleading advertisements by the coaching sector will be governed as per Consumer Protection Act, 2019. “Coaching institutes shall not make claim 100% selection or 100% job guaranteed or guaranteed preliminary or mains,” it said.

On the other hand, it is mandatory to add the information of successful candidate’s photo, rank secured by successful candidate, course opted by them, duration of course, whether it is paid or free.

The font of disclaimer, disclosure or important information in the advertisement will have to be in the same format used in the claim or advertisement. “The placement of such information shall be at a prominent and visible place in the advertisement,” it said.

The guidelines will be applicable to all the coaching institutes whether online or physical and all forms of advertisement regardless of form, format or medium.

It said that the coaching institutes should not make false claims regarding success rates, number of selections and any other practices that may lead to “consumer misunderstanding or subvert consumer autonomy and choice”.

The CCPA has issued notices to 31 coaching institutes for misleading advertisement and imposed fine on nine of them for misleading advertisement.