The Central Government is actively working to curb the arbitrary practices of coaching centers. In a move to crack down on misleading coaching advertisements, the government has introduced new guidelines.
According to these rules, coaching centers are prohibited from claiming 100 percent selection or guaranteeing jobs in any of their advertisements.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has formulated these guidelines, and the Consumer Affairs Ministry has invited public opinion on them for a period of 30 days. The rules specifically emphasize that coaching institutes cannot omit crucial information in their advertisements.
Instances of coaching centers not disclosing important details such as the course’s payment status or duration are common. Misleading information, such as exaggerated success rates, ranks of previous students, and the establishment date of the coaching center, is often displayed on billboards.
Moreover, the guidelines state that the use of a candidate’s photo, video, name, or details in advertisements is not permissible without the candidate’s consent. Claiming rankings and selections without proper evidence is also addressed in the rules.
It’s noteworthy that before formulating these guidelines, a panel was constituted on December 8, 2023, which sought advice and opinions from individuals associated with coaching institutes within a month.
Additionally, the Central Government has recently issued mandatory guidelines for all private coaching institutes nationwide, making registration a legal requirement.
Furthermore, enrollment of children below the age of 16 is prohibited. These guidelines have been introduced in light of the increasing incidents of suicides in the country.
Coaching institutes are also instructed to adhere to fire safety and building safety norms along with taking measures to safeguard the psychological and mental health of students.