CCPA Issues Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisement in Coaching Sector, 2024

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued guidelines to provide for the prevention of misleading advertisements in the coaching sector. Coaching institutes have been found to deliberately conceal important information and give false guarantees, which is likely to mislead consumers. The guidelines are intended to curb such deceptive or unfair trade practices.

All forms of misleading advertisements, including false claims on the courses offered, selection of candidates, ranks, job security, admissions, false sense of urgency or scarcity, etc., have been addressed. The guidelines also cast a duty upon all persons engaged in coaching to truthfully share important information. Candidates consent to sharing photos, testimonials, etc. after selection is a notable direction.

The guidelines are in effect from Nov 13, 2024, and apply to all forms of advertisement by any person who provides coaching or establishes, runs or administers a coaching center, including endorsers.

A committee was constituted on Dec 8, 2023, to deliberate upon the issue and the CCPA had conducted a stakeholder consultation on the matter on Jan 8, 2024. A press release was issued announcing that guidelines were being prepared. Based on suggestions received, draft guidelines were circulated for comments by Mar 16, 2024. Since the draft, the scope has been expanded as far as the application of the guidelines is concerned and the nature of the false claims.

Notably, the ministry of education had also issued guidelines in January this year for the regulation of coaching centres to effectively address malpractices adopted by them and protect students’ interests.