CCPA Fines Vajirao & Reddy Institute Rs 15 Lakh for Misleading UPSC Ads

• The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposed a Rs 15 lakh penalty on Vajirao and Reddy Institute for misleading advertisements related to UPSC CSE 2023.
• The institute concealed crucial information, specifically the courses opted for by successful candidates, creating a false impression that all candidates enrolled in their regular programs.
• Investigation revealed 431 enrollment forms lacked specific course details or dates, and many successful candidates only enrolled for 'Interview Guidance Programme' or 'Mock Interview' after clearing initial stages.
• This deliberate concealment violates consumer rights under Section 2(9) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, hindering informed choices for UPSC aspirants.
• This is a recurring violation; the institute was previously fined Rs 7 lakh for similar misleading ads in UPSC CSE 2022, leading to a higher penalty this time.