Study centre told to refund fee for providing bilingual course only in English

Noida: The district consumer disputes redressal commission on Wednesday ordered a Gurugram-based study centre, Study IQ IAS, to return a course fee of Rs 15,000 with interest calculated at 6% per annum from the date of filing of the complaint and pay a fine of Rs 1,000 within a month to a candidate who purchased a bilingual course but was only provided an English module.Commission chairperson Anil Kumar Pundir and member Anju Sharma, in an ex-parte order, ruled that since the complainant provided evidence to prove the defendant failed to fulfil its promise as made in the advertisement, it committed a deficiency in service and therefore, the complainant deserved relief under the Consumer Protection Act.Sector 53 resident Pragyansh Singh filed an application with the commission on July 19, 2025, informing that he purchased an online optional UPSC course from Study IQ IAS for Rs 15,000.

The course was offered in Hindi and English, and included video lectures and study materials.“On the very first day of the course, it became clear that the material provided by the respondent was entirely in English, not bilingual as promised in the advertisement,” he said, adding that despite repeated requests via phone and email, the opponent gave no solution. “The opposite party also refused to return the course fees.

This action by the opponent constitutes deficiency in service and unfair trade practices,” he claimed.The commission issued notices to the course provider but, in absence of any response, the proceedings against the opponent were conducted ex-parte on Nov 20, 2025.Commission heard the complainant’s ex-parte arguments and perused all available documents on record.“An examination of the facts, circumstances and records of the case clearly shows that the complainant joined the UPSC course and paid the full payment online. The advertisement promised bilingual services but a course only in English was sent, causing significant inconvenience to the complainant. The course was incomprehensible. The defendant failed to fulfil its promise as claimed in the advertisement and has committed a deficiency in service,” the commission ruled, ordering refund of the full amount along with Rs 500 towards litigation cost and another Rs 500 for causing mental agony.