'Misleading advertistment': Consumer authority fines coaching class Rs 11L; probe finds false success claims

MUMBAI: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) had ordered an inquiry into the claims made by AjayVision Education Pvt. Ltd. on its website www.visionias.in. The institute had advertised its courses by selectively publishing on its website photos and names of certain successful candidates.

The Authority observed that Clause 4 of the Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022, mandated that an advertisement must be truthful and should not mislead consumers with unsubstantiated claims. These claims would have to be objectively verifiable and substantiated before the CCPA if questioned.


The CCPA sought details about the details of the enrolment of the students, the courses attended along with the duration, date of joining, and fees receipts issued, and consent for using the student’s name and photo for promotional campaigns.

The institute was also called upon to explain why complete details were not posted on the website. The institute responded that limited information was given as the webpage has creative size limitations and would not allow details of every student who scored a rank in the Civil Service Examination.

The response was not considered satisfactory as information in respect of certain candidates was deliberately withheld while the claims remained unsubstantiated. So the CCPA ordered a detailed investigation by its Director General.

The investigation revealed various anomalies, and some of the students listed as its toppers were not even enrolled with it. The institute stated that in respect of its previous advertisements the CCPA had ruled against it, and the matter was pending in appeal before the National Commission, so the CCPA should not adjudicate upon the fresh advertisements.

The CCPA observed that the institute had failed to prove the correctness of its claims, but had brazenly continued with the misleading advertisement and promotional campaign. It ordered the institute to desist from publishing misleading advertisements and imposed a penalty of Rs.11 lakhs for continuing to mislead consumers.