Every year, thousands of students migrate from small towns to big cities after seeing the bright billboards and big advertisements of the training centers. They charge huge fees here. False and true dreams of success are shown. To fulfill their children’s dreams, some parents sell their land and others take out loans to send them there. But after years pass, most students feel disappointed.
The government has started cracking down on coaching centers that publish misleading advertisements. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs of the Central Government has issued new guidelines for coaching centres. If any coaching center refuses to follow them, a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh can be imposed.
According to Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, this decision was taken in the interest of the students. In fact, the advertisements provided by the training centers do not clearly provide information related to the facilities or the faculty. A fine of between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 50 lakh will now be imposed on such coaching centres. If you do not agree even after this, your license to post ads will also be terminated.
What is the new government guideline?
1. First of all, the definition of a training center has been clarified. As per the rules, a coaching center will mean a center in which at least 50 students study and is managed by one or more persons.
2. Coaching means academic support, guidance related to education, study program, tuition or any related work.
3. In addition to training centers, the rules will also apply to those who endorse or encourage them. The definition of endorsement was also clarified, meaning that if any group or individual advertises a product or shares their experiences, it will be considered an endorsement.
4. Clear information will have to be given about services and quality. The educational center will have to say some things clearly. Like what the course is about. What will be the completion period? Which faculty will teach it and what is their credibility. What will be the prices of the course?
5. Training centers often do not say whether or not the student will receive a refund if they drop out of the course and, if so, how much they will receive. But now this information will also have to be delivered to the training center. Apart from all this, if any advertisement related to someone’s selection or rank is provided, the rules will apply to it.
6. Many times the coaching centers claim that their quota is about to be filled and only a few seats are left, in such a situation the students accept admission in coaching quickly. Training centers will no longer be able to sow confusion such that students make hasty wrong decisions.
7. As per the guidelines issued by the government, the coaching center will have to clarify the entire situation both in terms of admission as well as service and quality.
8. Many children died when flood water entered the Delhi training centre. Instructions have also been issued keeping in mind that incidents of this type must not occur again. Training centers will now have to indicate in their advertisements how many children they have seats available for. How many entrances and exits are there? How much space is there?
9. Coaching institutes will have to provide correct information about infrastructure, resources and facilities in their advertisements. It should also be mentioned whether the course they teach is recognized by the UGC or any similar institution or not.
10. According to Consumer Minister Nidhi Khare, action has already been taken against misleading advertisements displayed at training centres. These rules are being implemented so that students do not have to suffer from confusion.
Measures have been taken in these training centers
Recently, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposed a fine on renowned trainers. These centers had made false propaganda about IAS and IPS (UPSC) coaching, due to which thousands of students were confused. The CCPA had sent notices to many training centers. These include Unacademy, Drishti IAS, Vajirao & Reddy Institute, Maluka IAS, Seekers Educational Services, Vision IAS 2024, Iqra IAS, Chahal Academy, Aakash Educational Services, Khan Study Group IAS, Narayana Medical Academy, Shubhra Ranjan IAS, Allen Career Institute, IAS Baba, Yojana IAS, Abhimanyu IAS, Sandesh Academy, Shri Ram IAS, Byju’s. IAS-2022, Rao IAS Study Circle, Greater Noida Institute of Technology.
A fine is imposed on large training centers
, A fine of Rs 1 lakh was imposed on Iqra IAS for misleading advertising.
, Rs 5 lakh fine to Khan Study Group.
, One lakh fine in Chahal Academy.
, Byjus IAS Academy fined Rs 10 lakh.
, A fine of Rs 3 lakh to Maluka IAS Academy.
, One lakh rupees fine on Unacademy.
, Rs 1 lakh fine in Rao IAS Study Circle.
Why was Chahal Academy fined?
When the Ministry of Consumer Affairs investigated the complaints from the training centers some time ago, significant irregularities were found. For example, Chahal Academy had written in its poster that more than 300 students were selected in UPSC in the year 2022-23. Of these, 4 out of 5 people were the first. Photographs of children from rank one to rank 16 were also printed on the poster. When the Ministry of Consumer Affairs investigated, it discovered that the academy deliberately concealed the students’ course information. 3 students stated that at this institute they had only given mock interviews for free. When the truth was discovered, a fine of Rs 1 lakh was imposed.
Fine also imposed on the Khan Study Circle
Khan Study Circle released UPSC results 2022-23. His children were said to be among the top five. The advertisement claimed that 682 of their 993 children have been selected in the UPSC 2022 exam. Their photo was also included in the poster. The investigation found that information about the subject or course chosen by the students was hidden. Of them, 73 selected candidates had only given a mock interview. Following this, a fine of Rs 5 lakh was imposed on the coaching staff.
Maluka IAS had claimed selection
Similarly, Maluka IAS Academy announced pre and main exams. It was stated that there is a guarantee of passing the previous and main exams. It was also reported that 136 students were selected in the UPSC CSE exam in the year 2022. Upon investigation, it was found that 124 candidates had undergone the complete interview guidance course and the claim of guarantee of success was false. Incorrect information was provided about the institute’s capabilities and services. Therefore, a fine of Rs 3 lakh was imposed on the Centre.
