-1771846808990_v.webp)
- By Sarju Saran Tiwari
- Mon, 23 Feb 2026 05:35 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
UPSC Coaching Misleading Claim: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a fine of Rs 15 lakh on Delhi-based coaching institute Vajirao & Reddy for publishing misleading advertisements related to the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2023 results.
The CCPA bench comprising Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Anupam Mishra held that the institute's claims regarding the number of successful candidates for its courses created a misleading impression among candidates and violated the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
UPSC CSE 2023 Selection Claims:
The order comes from a suo motu case initiated by the CCPA against Vajirao & Reddy for the claims published on its website. Here are the selection claims made by the institute for the UPSC CSE 2023 results:
Category / Rank Range | Reported Statistics |
Total UPSC Vacancies | 1,016 |
Total Selections Claimed | Over 645 |
Selections in Top 10 (AIR) | 6 |
Selections in Top 50 (AIR) | 35 |
Selections in Top 100 (AIR) | 64 |
Did the Institute Falsify UPSC Selections?
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) launched a thorough investigation into an institute's claims of 645 selections in the UPSC CSE 2023. The investigation revealed that the institute failed to provide essential documents, such as fee receipts or enrollment forms.
Importantly, the CCPA found that 431 of the 645 candidates claimed had not actually enrolled in any of the institute's programs, proving that the advertisements were false and deceptive.
What Were the CCPA's Key Findings?
The investigation exposed a massive gap between the advertised success stories and the actual enrollment data. The institute failed to disclose that most successful candidates were not part of full-fledged courses, creating a misleading impression for future aspirants.
Discrepancy in Enrollment Data:
| Category of Findings | Statistics/Details |
| Total Candidates Claimed | 645 |
| Candidates Not Enrolled Anywhere | 431 |
| Candidates in Interview Courses | 57 |
| Candidates in Guidance Courses | 33 |
| Non-Interview Program Enrollment | 643 |
| Penalty Imposed | Rs 15,00,000 |
Despite receiving a notice in May 2024, the institute deliberately continued to display misleading ads on its website. The CCPA ruled this as a "subsequent contravention," noting that the institute's behavior showed a conscious disregard for consumer interests. Consequently, a higher penalty of Rs 15 lakh was levied, along with a strict 15-day deadline to cease all misleading publications and submit a compliance report.