The crackdown on unethical practices in coaching centres, including those preparing candidates for IAS exams, is a crucial step towards protecting student rights. It has come to light that many coaching institutes falsely advertise celebrity teachers to attract aspirants, only to fail in delivering the promised classes. This has led to a surge in complaints from students who feel cheated and left without recourse.
The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has been inundated with grievances about misleading practices by coaching centres. Students often find that the celebrated faculty members, advertised as part of the coaching program, are nowhere to be seen. When students demand refunds, they are met with resistance, as institutes impose stringent refund policies that leave students stranded.
In response to this unethical behavior, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has instructed IAS coaching centres to prioritize student welfare and address refund claims promptly. The escalating number of dissatisfied students filing complaints with NCH highlights the urgency of the situation.
In a bid to hold errant coaching institutes accountable, the Consumer Protection Authority has issued notices to 45 institutes and imposed fines totaling ₹38.60 lakh for deceptive advertising and unethical practices. It is imperative for coaching institutes to be transparent in their processes and refrain from exploiting students’ trust for monetary gains.
As students invest in coaching institutes based on the reputation of certain teachers, they must be guaranteed a refund if the promised services are not delivered. This crackdown serves as a wake-up call for coaching centres to uphold ethical standards and prioritize student welfare above all else.
