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| Exclusive for Subscribers Daily: Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) and India-Japan for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) and Super Blue Moon important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for September 18, 2024 |
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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on September 18, 2024
Daily Insights and Initiatives for UPSC Exam Notes: Comprehensive explanations and high-quality material provided regularly for students
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS II - Consumer Protection rules
Context:
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed penalty of ₹ 3 lakh for misleading advertisement on Sriram’s IAS. The decision was taken to protect & promote the rights of consumers as a class and ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made of any goods or services which contravenes the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019
Read about:
What is Central COnsumer Protection Authority (CCPA)?
What is State Consumer Protection Council?
Key takeaways:
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a ₹3 lakh fine on Sriram’s IAS for disseminating misleading advertisements. This action aims to safeguard and advance consumer rights and to ensure that no advertisements for goods or services breach the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The penalty was issued under the leadership of Chief Commissioner Smt. Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Shri Anupam Mishra, following violations related to misleading advertising about the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022.
Many coaching institutes and online edtech platforms use images and names of successful candidates to attract potential students, without disclosing which courses these candidates completed or the duration of their studies.
Sriram’s IAS made claims in its advertisements such as:
- “200 plus selections in UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022”
- “We are India's No.1 Prestigious UPSC/IAS Coaching Institute”
The CCPA found that while Sriram’s IAS advertised various courses, it intentionally withheld information about the courses taken by the successful candidates in the UPSC Civil Service Exam. This omission misled consumers into believing that all the claimed successful candidates had enrolled in the paid courses advertised by the institute.
According to Section 2(28)(iv) of the Consumer Protection Act, misleading advertisements that deliberately hide critical information are prohibited. Knowing the course details chosen by successful candidates is essential for consumers to make informed decisions about which course and coaching institute to select.
In response, Sriram’s IAS provided details for only 171 out of the 200-plus claimed successful candidates. Of these, 102 were from the Free Interview Guidance Programme (IGP), 55 from the Free Test Series, 9 from the GS Classroom course, and 5 from an MoU arrangement with state governments for free coaching. This information was not disclosed in their advertisements, misleading potential consumers.
Successful candidates in the Civil Services Examination must pass all three stages: Prelims, Mains, and the Personality Test (PT). Marks from Mains and PT contribute to the final selection, with PT accounting for 13.5% of the total marks. Many candidates had cleared the Preliminary and Mains exams independently, with Sriram’s IAS providing guidance only after these stages. By concealing this fact, the misleading advertisements misinformed UPSC aspirants, violating their right to be accurately informed and protecting themselves from unfair practices
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