CCPA Seeks Public Input on Draft Guidelines to Curb Misleading Ads in Coaching Sector

New Delhi, 19th February 2024: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) is inviting public input on the Draft Guidelines for the Prevention of Misleading Advertisements in the Coaching Sector. The draft guidelines, which aim to curb deceptive advertising practices, are available on the Department of Consumer Affairs website and can be accessed via the link (https://consumeraffairs.nic.in/sites/default/files/file-uploads/latestnews/Public%20Comments%20Letter%202.pdf).

The public is encouraged to provide comments, suggestions, or feedback to the Central Authority within the next 30 days, until March 16, 2024.

The CCPA organized a stakeholder consultation on Misleading Advertisements in the Coaching Sector on January 8, 2024. Key participants included the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Ministry of Education, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), National Law University (NLU) Delhi, FIITJEE, Khan Global Studies, and Ikigai Law. During the meeting, there was unanimous agreement that the CCPA should formulate guidelines to prevent misleading advertisements in the coaching sector.

The Draft Guidelines for the Prevention of Misleading Advertisements in the Coaching Sector have been developed after extensive discussions with various stakeholders, including coaching institutes, law firms, government bodies, and Voluntary Consumer Organizations (VCOs). These guidelines are now open for public consultation and are proposed to be issued under section 18 (2) (l) of the Consumer Protection Act 2019.

The draft guidelines define “Coaching” as tuition, instructions, academic support, learning programs, or guidance provided by any person. They specify conditions for misleading advertisements, such as concealing important information, making false claims without verifiable evidence, misrepresenting the role of coaching in students’ success, creating a false sense of urgency, and engaging in any other practices that may mislead consumers.

These guidelines will apply to every person engaged in coaching, aiming to protect consumers from deceptive practices in the coaching sector. The objective is to prevent misleading advertisements that impact consumers as a collective. Violations by coaching institutions will be governed by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and the proposed guidelines aim to bring transparency, clarity, and protection to consumer interests.

For more information on the new guidelines, please visit the provided link.