The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has cracked down on civil servants engaging in promotional activities or advertising agreements with coaching institutes. Sparked by numerous grievances and irregularities, the directive specifically targets UPSC toppers from endorsing coaching institute promotions, as reported by India Today.
In a late November letter to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the Consumer Ministry’s CCPA division stressed the urgency of preventing IAS officers, once selected by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), from associating with coaching institutes.
Highlighting the absence of specific clauses governing such interactions in the service conduct rules, the Consumer Ministry urged the DoPT to prohibit coaching institutes from using the names or images of UPSC winners, particularly those entering the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
Motivated by numerous complaints regarding dubious marketing practices employed by IAS coaching centers, the CCPA has advocated for a new provision within the service conduct guidelines. This regulation would explicitly bar UPSC champions from endorsing coaching organizations after joining the civil service.
The directive’s primary aim is to curb self-promotion through associations with coaching institutes, particularly by IAS officers. This aligns with the CCPA’s broader objective of upholding professionalism and integrity within administrative services.