Overview

• The advertisement touted “216+ selections” using names and photographs of successful candidates.
• Investigators found 162 of the 216 had only attended the free Interview Guidance Programme after clearing prelims and mains independently, while 54 had taken IGP with other courses.
• CCPA deemed the omission of course type and duration a misleading advertisement under Section 2(28) of the Consumer Protection Act and a breach of the right to informed choice under Section 2(9).
• The order is a repeat action against Drishti IAS after a Rs 3 lakh penalty in September 2024 for similar claims related to UPSC CSE 2021.
• The penalty aligns with a wider enforcement drive that has issued 54 notices and levied over Rs 90.6 lakh in fines against 26 coaching institutes, with directions to withdraw misleading promotions.