24 coaching institutes fined Rs 77.6 lakh over misleading ads on IIT-JEE, NEET results

Hyderabad: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued 46 notices to coaching institutes for misleading advertisements related to IIT-JEE and NEET results. As part of its action, CCPA has imposed penalties amounting to Rs 77.6 lakh on 24 institutes and directed them to discontinue deceptive claims.

Rs 3 lakh fine on IITPK for false claims

Among the penalised institutes, IITian’s Prashikshan Kendra (IITPK) was fined Rs 3 lakh for misleading students and parents about its IIT-JEE results. The institute falsely portrayed itself as producing top-ranked students at the national level.

Misleading topper claims

IITPK prominently featured terms such as ‘IIT Topper’ and ‘NEET Topper’ along with bold numbers ‘1’ and ‘2’ beside student names and pictures. However, CCPA’s investigation revealed that these students were only toppers within the institute, not at the national level.

Exaggerated IIT rank numbers

The institute also advertised ‘1384 IIT Ranks in the past 21 years,’ suggesting that these students secured admission into IITs. However, CCPA found that the list included students from other institutions such as IIITs, NITs, BITS, Manipal University and VIT.

Inflated success ratio claims

IITPK’s advertisements claimed ‘Highest success ratio year after year’ and ‘Success Ratio at 61%’ without supporting data or verification. Although the institute later clarified these figures in webinars and counselling sessions, CCPA noted that no such clarification was made in the advertisements.

Consumer protection measures

CCPA has reaffirmed that coaching institutes must provide accurate and verifiable information to students and parents. The authority emphasised that misleading advertisements violate consumer rights and affect students’ educational decisions.