Nagpur: With IIT-JEE results on the horizon, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a stern advisory to coaching institutes across the country, including those operating in Nagpur, warning them against misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices. The authority’s action follows a growing outcry against such centres, particularly in light of the controversy surrounding FIITJEE’s abrupt shutdown earlier this year.
According to an official release, the CCPA directed all coaching centres to ensure transparency in their promotional content, adhering to the 2024 guidelines laid out for educational service providers. Coaching institutes have been instructed to present all claims in a “clear, accurate, and non-misleading” manner, with advertisements required to display student names, ranks, course details, and payment status.
The CCPA has explicitly prohibited any guarantees of success, stating that disclaimers must be prominently displayed in the same font size as other key information. As part of enforcement measures, the consumer watchdog has issued 49 notices and levied fines totalling Rs 77.60 lakh against 24 coaching centres for flouting these norms.
FIITJEE Case: Fallout Felt in Nagpur
The crackdown comes in the wake of mounting complaints against coaching giant FIITJEE, whose abrupt closure of centres across the country in January 2025 left students, parents, and staff in turmoil. Noida Police, probing the case, recently froze ₹11.11 crore across 12 bank accounts linked to FIITJEE founder Dinesh Goyal. Over 300 accounts have been frozen to date, with cash seizures worth ₹60 lakh and statements recorded from 31 former faculty members and over 250 aggrieved parents.
Nagpur was among the worst-affected cities. In June last year, hundreds of parents and students staged a massive protest outside the FIITJEE branch near Law College Square, West High Court Road. The demonstration, which disrupted traffic for hours, highlighted widespread grievances over unpaid salaries to teachers and unrefunded fees to students.
Educators and Students Left in Limbo:
Sources revealed that out of nearly 1,500 enrolled students, only a few received partial refunds. A large number of educators and administrative staff had to seek employment elsewhere, while many are still awaiting their dues. FIRs related to the case have been lodged in Delhi and Noida, intensifying the legal scrutiny on the coaching sector.
Who Will Ensure Accountability?
The crisis has sparked a larger debate on regulatory oversight and ethical practices within the booming coaching industry. Former teachers and parents in Nagpur continue to demand accountability and justice for the financial and academic losses they have suffered.
As scrutiny intensifies, authorities are urging students and parents to verify the credentials and claims of coaching centres before enrolling.
