Central Consumer Protection Authority seeks public comments on Draft Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisement in Coaching Sector
Draft
Guidelines to prevent false claims regarding success rates, number of
selections and other such claims by every person engaged in coaching
The Authority solicits public comments/suggestions on Guidelines within 30 days
till 16th March, 2024
The
Central Consumer Protection Authority has sought public comments on Draft
Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisement in Coaching Sector. Draft
Guidelines are placed on the website of the Department of Consumer Affairs and
are accessible through the link (https://consumeraffairs.nic.in/sites/default/files/file-uploads/latestnews/Public%20Comments%20Letter%202.pdf).
Public
comments/suggestions/feedback are solicited and may be provided to the Central
Authority within 30 days (until 16th March
2024).
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
conducted a stakeholder’s consultation on Misleading Advertisement in Coaching
Sector on 08th January 2024,
which was attended by 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. In the meeting, there was a general consensus that Central Consumer Protection
Authority should come with Guidelines for prevention of misleading
advertisement in coaching sector.
The draft Guidelines for Prevention of
Misleading Advertisement in Coaching Sector have been
framed after detailed deliberations with all stakeholders including coaching
institutes, law firms, Government and Voluntary Consumer Organizations (VCO’s)
and are now being put up for public consultation. Proposed Guidelines shall be
issued under section 18 (2) (l) of the Consumer Protection Act 2019.
The draft guidelines define “Coaching” as
tuition, instructions or academic support or learning programme or guidance
provided by any person. Under the Guidelines, conditions for misleading
advertisement have been laid out. Any person who engage in coaching shall be
considered to be engage in a misleading advertisement if it employs any of the
following practices –
- Conceal important information related to name of the
course (whether free or paid) & duration of course opted by successful
candidate or any other important information which can influence a
consumer's decision to choose their services.
- Make false claims regarding success rates, number of
selections, or rankings of students in any competitive exam without
providing verifiable evidence.
- Falsely represent that students' success is solely
attributable to the coaching, without acknowledging the individual efforts
of the students. Clearly state the extent of the coaching involvement in
their success.
- Create false sense of urgency or fear of missing out
that may heighten anxieties amongst students, or parents.
- Any other practices that may mislead consumers or
subvert consumer autonomy and choice.
Guidelines would be made applicable to every person engaged
in coaching. The objective of the Guidelines is to protect consumers from
misleading advertisements in coaching sector. Thus, the proposed Guidelines
seek to prevent such misleading advertisements which effects consumers as a
class. Misleading advertisement by coaching sector will be governed as per
Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the proposed guidelines will bring clarity to
the stakeholders and protect consumer interests.
For more information on the new guidelines,
visit the link:
The
bill is very significant, not only for the economy but the lives and welfare of
crores of parents and students whose future depends on proper, education, coaching,
career planning, guidance and right choices. This should also take care and see
that crores of human years in the prime of youth are not wasted on just giving
exam, but doing what they can or should after the exam or even without it.