Drishti IAS EXPOSED: Hit With ₹5 Lakh Fine for SHOCKINGLY Misleading UPSC Ads – Coaching Fraud Uncovered!

The world of UPSC coaching has been rocked by a massive scandal as Drishti IAS, a popular and seemingly reputable institute owned by Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, has been slapped with a hefty ₹5 lakh fine by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) for publishing outrageously misleading advertisements! This bombshell revelation exposes a disturbing trend of coaching centers making false claims about their success rates, preying on the dreams and aspirations of thousands of UPSC Civil Services Examination candidates.

The controversy erupted after Drishti IAS ran ads boldly claiming that an astonishing 216 candidates from their institute had been selected in the highly competitive UPSC CSE 2022. They even went so far as to use the names and photographs of these 216 students, creating a powerful, yet ultimately deceptive, image of unparalleled success.

However, the CCPA launched a detailed investigation, and what they uncovered was nothing short of shocking. The claims made by Drishti IAS were found to be grossly misleading. "The investigation revealed that out of the 216 candidates Drishti IAS claimed, about 162 candidates had only joined the institute's free interview guidance program," the report states. These candidates had already cleared the preliminary and main stages of the UPSC CSE on their own merit, only seeking interview guidance as a final step.

Even more damning, "only 54 students were such that they had taken other paid courses from the institute along with the interview guidance program." This means that a vast majority of the "successful candidates" prominently featured in Drishti IAS's advertisements had little to no direct involvement with the institute's core paid coaching programs for the full UPSC preparation.

"This means the claim made by Drishti IAS in their ad—that they were solely responsible for the selection of 216 candidates through all stages of UPSC—was false," the report concludes. For this blatant deception, they now have to pay a ₹5 lakh fine.

The Drishti IAS misleading ads scandal has ignited a furious debate about ethics in the coaching industry. Many are arguing that the ₹5 lakh fine is "too low" for such a significant act of deception, especially given the immense financial and emotional investment students make in UPSC preparation. "What are your thoughts?" the report asks, inviting public opinion on the adequacy of the penalty.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the predatory practices that can exist within the highly competitive coaching sector. Institutes often leverage the dreams of aspiring civil servants, making exaggerated claims to attract students and their hefty fees. The CCPA's intervention is a crucial step towards holding these institutes accountable and protecting vulnerable students from false promises.

The UPSC coaching fraud exposed by this fine highlights the need for greater transparency and stricter regulations in the education sector. Students and their families invest significant time, money, and hope into these coaching programs, and they deserve honest and accurate information about success rates.

As the news of the fine spreads, it will undoubtedly force other coaching institutes to re-evaluate their advertising practices. The CCPA's action sends a clear message: misleading advertisements will not be tolerated, and those who exploit the aspirations of students will face legal consequences.

What do you think of the Drishti IAS fine? Is ₹5 lakh enough to deter such misleading practices? And what more can be done to protect students from fraudulent coaching claims? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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