CCPA fines Vajirao & Reddy Institute and StudyIQ IAS ₹7 lakh each, Edge IAS ₹1 lakh for misleading UPSC result ads
The Central Consumer Protection Authority imposed penalties of ₹7 lakh each on Vajirao & Reddy Institute and StudyIQ IAS and ₹1 lakh on Edge IAS for misleading claims about UPSC CSE results, the Consumer Affairs Ministry said on 26 December 2024.
Summary
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), headed by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare, imposed a penalty of ₹7 lakh each on Vajirao & Reddy Institute and StudyIQ IAS and ₹1 lakh on Edge IAS for misleading advertisements about UPSC Civil Services Examination results, according to a release of 26 December 2024. Vajirao & Reddy had claimed 617 selections out of 933 in CSE 2022, but the CCPA found that all 617 had been enrolled only in its Interview Guidance Programme, a fact concealed in the advertisement. StudyIQ IAS had claimed 120+ selections in CSE 2023; of the 134 candidates it listed, 126 had opted for the Interview Guidance Programme. The CCPA also ordered all three institutes to discontinue the misleading advertisements with immediate effect.
Key facts
- Authority
- Central Consumer Protection Authority (Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare)
- Penalties
- ₹7 lakh each on Vajirao & Reddy Institute and StudyIQ IAS; ₹1 lakh on Edge IAS
- Exams involved
- UPSC CSE 2022 and 2023
- Vajirao & Reddy claim
- 617 selections out of 933 in CSE 2022; all 617 were in the Interview Guidance Programme
- StudyIQ IAS claim
- 120+ selections in CSE 2023; 126 of 134 listed had taken the Interview Guidance Programme
- Order
- Discontinue misleading advertisements immediately
Practice MCQs 3 questions
What penalty did the CCPA impose on each of Vajirao & Reddy Institute and StudyIQ IAS in December 2024 for misleading UPSC result advertisements?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹7 lakh
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the CCPA imposed a penalty of ₹7 lakh each on Vajirao & Reddy Institute and StudyIQ IAS, and ₹1 lakh on Edge IAS.
Who headed the Central Consumer Protection Authority as Chief Commissioner when it penalised UPSC coaching institutes in December 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Nidhi Khare
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the CCPA is headed by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare; Anupam Mishra is a Commissioner.
The CCPA found that all 617 successful candidates claimed by Vajirao & Reddy Institute for UPSC CSE 2022 had been enrolled in which course?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Interview Guidance Programme
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the CCPA found that all the claimed 617 successful candidates were enrolled in the Interview Guidance Programme, which the advertisement did not disclose.