The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a ₹8 lakh penalty on the edtech company Raising Superstars Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. for publishing misleading advertisements related to child development milestones, according to a report by LiveMint.
Founded in 2020 by Raghav Himatsingka and Shraddha Himatsingka, Raising Superstars is a Kolkata-based edtech startup that aims to support parents in nurturing cognitive growth in children aged 0–6 through non-screen, activity-based learning. The company’s “Prodigy Framework” is designed to promote early childhood development.
In 2021, the edtech startup secured ₹1 crore in exchange for 4% equity from investors Aman Gupta and Ashneer Grover on Shark Tank India Season 1.
The penalty must be deposited within 15 days, and the company has been instructed to file a compliance affidavit or face further legal action.
The CCPA highlighted that the company’s “Prodigy Framework Program” made specific claims, such as babies crawling by three months, walking by eight months, and using over 200 words by 18 months. These claims were not substantiated by scientific research or empirical studies.
“No scientific study, clinical assessment, or empirical research was conducted to prove a causal link between participation in the program and the claimed outcomes,” the CCPA noted.
The watchdog emphasized that these statements, primarily based on selective parental testimonials, were misleading to parents and guardians, who constitute a vulnerable class of consumers. Generic disclaimers like “results may vary” were deemed insufficient.
Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, such representations are considered both misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices. The CCPA directed the firm to stop making performance-linked or milestone-specific claims without credible evidence and comply with e-commerce disclosure norms.
The ruling signals increased scrutiny of edtech advertising in India, particularly claims targeting early childhood development, as authorities prioritize verified information and consumer protection.
