The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has released draft guidelines to crack down on malpractices in the coaching sector and shield consumers from deceptive advertisements. Public feedback on these guidelines is also being sought by the consumer watchdog.
The move follows a stakeholder consultation organized by the CCPA on January 8, attended by representatives from various entities including the 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.
The draft guidelines define “Coaching” broadly as tuition, instructions, academic support, learning programs, or guidance offered by any individual or institution. They clearly outline conditions for misleading advertisements, such as withholding crucial information about the course, making false claims about success rates, and creating a false sense of urgency or fear of missing out.
The guidelines aim to cover all individuals or entities involved in coaching, with the primary goal of shielding consumers from misleading advertisements in the coaching sector. Once implemented, these proposed guidelines will be governed by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.