CCPA Imposes Rs 11 Lakh Fine on Vision IAS for Misleading UPSC Coaching Claims

New Delhi, 26th December 2025: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has levied a penalty of ₹11 lakh on Vision IAS (AjayVision Education Private Limited) for publishing misleading advertisements on its official website regarding the results of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) for 2022 and 2023. The move comes under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The institute had highlighted claims such as “7 in Top 10 & 79 in Top 100 selections in CSE 2023” and “39 in Top 50 selections in CSE 2022,” prominently displaying the names, photographs, and ranks of successful candidates.

During its investigation, the CCPA found that while Vision IAS disclosed the course enrolled by AIR 1, Shubham Kumar (GS Foundation Batch – Classroom Student, UPSC CSE 2020), it did not provide similar information for other candidates featured in the same advertisement.

“This selective disclosure created the impression that all listed candidates had enrolled in the GS Foundation Classroom Course, which was not accurate,” the CCPA noted.

The Authority also highlighted that the advertisements prominently promoted the institute’s high-fee “Foundation Course,” potentially influencing aspirants to enroll based on exaggerated or misleading claims.

The detailed probe revealed that out of 119+ successful candidates claimed by the institute for UPSC CSE 2022 and 2023, only three had actually enrolled in the foundation courses. The remaining candidates had opted for services such as Preliminary and Mains Test Series, Abhyaas tests, and Mock Interview programmes. The CCPA concluded that this concealment of material facts misled students and parents into believing that Vision IAS was responsible for all candidates’ successes, constituting a misleading advertisement under Section 2(28) of the Consumer Protection Act.

The Authority also observed that featuring students’ names and photographs without their proper consent, along with exaggerated claims, created a false impression for aspirants. “Unlike print media, websites are globally accessible and remain available for long periods. They are a key source for aspirants to research and compare coaching institutes, making accurate information critical,” the CCPA said.

The CCPA further pointed out that Vision IAS had previously faced regulatory action for similar violations but continued to publish misleading claims in subsequent advertisements. “Given the recurring nature of these violations, the present case is treated as a subsequent contravention, warranting a higher penalty to protect consumers,” the Authority added.

The Authority stressed that in competitive exams like the UPSC Civil Services Examination, where aspirants invest significant time, effort, and money, incomplete or selective disclosures can mislead students and parents, creating unrealistic expectations about outcomes and coaching effectiveness.

To date, the CCPA has issued 57 notices to various coaching institutes for misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices, imposing penalties of over ₹1.09 crore on 28 institutes and directing them to discontinue such claims. The Authority emphasized that coaching institutes must ensure transparency and accuracy in their advertisements to enable aspirants to make informed academic decisions.