UPSC topper IAS officer Tina Dabi mentor Shubhra Ranjan's institute fined for Rs 200000 due to...

Shubhra Ranjan, the name synonymous with success for thousands of UPSC aspirants, has landed in a soup. Known as the guiding force behind toppers like Tina Dabi, Shubhra Ranjan IAS Study Institute has been penalized Rs 2 lakh by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) for allegedly running misleading advertisements.

The crux of the matter is the institute's claims for its students' success in the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Advertising banners carried phrases like "13 students in the top 100" and "28 students in the top 200" with pictures of successful candidates. CCPA found that the institute did not inform crucial details about the association of the students with its courses, thus misleading prospective clients.

Adding to the controversy, the institute's promotional materials used phrases like "Shubhra Ranjan IAS," which inadvertently suggested that Shubhra Ranjan herself was an IAS officer—a claim that is factually incorrect. The regulatory body deemed this misleading and in violation of the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, emphasizing that such tactics deprive students and their families of the information needed to make informed decisions about coaching services.

This is part of a series of crackdowns by the CCPA against deceptive practices in the education sector. Just last month, another well-known coaching center was slapped with a higher Rs 7 lakh penalty for the same violations. So far, the penalties amount to Rs 63.6 lakh on 20 institutes, reflecting an increasing demand for transparency in an industry that millions of aspirants entrust themselves to every year.

Shubhra Ranjan, or Shubhra Deshmukh, has been a household name among UPSC aspirants for over two decades. Hailing from Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, she has carved a niche for herself as an expert in Political Science and International Relations. Her students, including Tina Dabi and Ishita Kishore, have often credited her mentorship for their success.

Contrary to the advertisements by her institute, Shubhra Ranjan never attempted the UPSC exam. Instead, she built her legacy through teaching, drawing on her vast knowledge and experience to prepare students for one of India's toughest exams.

UPSC success is synonymous with the name Tina Dabi, who created a storm in 2016 when she grabbed All-India Rank 1 on the first attempt. Her sister Ria Dabi emulated her success story by grabbing an impressive AIR 15 in 2020. Both sisters publicly admit Shubhra Ranjan has been instrumental in shaping their UPSC journey.

Despite the recent controversy, Shubhra Ranjan's influence on her students remains undeniable. Many aspirants continue to hold her mentorship in high regard, pointing to her ability to simplify complex concepts and foster a disciplined approach to preparation.

While Shubhra Ranjan's contributions to the UPSC community are very significant, the recent episode reminds one of the need for ethical practices in education. Students invest not just money but also hopes and dreams into coaching institutes. Misleading claims, even if inadvertent, undermine that trust.

As the coaching industry is on the rise, the spotlight on transparency and accountability becomes brighter. For Shubhra Ranjan IAS Study Institute, this moment calls for introspection and a renewed commitment to uphold the values that have defined its legacy.