Here is why CCPA fined Physics Wallah ₹5 lakh

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of ₹5 lakh on Physics Wallah Limited after finding that the ed-tech platform used dark patterns on its website, including a pre-ticked donation checkbox that automatically added ₹10 to the payable amount during payments for courses, unless users actively opted out..The order was passed by CCPA Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Anupam Mishra on June 1..The case was taken up suo motu by the CCPA against Physics Wallah over alleged use of dark patterns resulting in unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements and violation of consumer rights on its website and mobile application.The Authority found that Physics Wallah had deployed a pre-selected checkbox titled “Donate for PW Foundation” during checkout during fee payment processes, which added ₹10 to the transaction unless deselected by the consumer..It noted that the mechanism remained operational from February 14, 2024 to December 24, 2025 and that around ₹2.47 crore was collected from more than 21.36 lakh users during this period.The CCPA held that visibility of the donation amount did not cure the illegality.“The legal requirement under Rule 4(9) is not merely disclosure, but explicit and affirmative consumer consent," it held. .The Authority said that a practice by which an additional monetary liability is inserted into the transaction flow by default, requiring consumers to actively remove it, falls within the prohibited category of manipulative interface design.The CCPA also found that the donation-related messaging shown when users clicked “Know More” employed emotional persuasion by referring to financial assistance for marriages, children’s education, healthcare and welfare of underserved communities..It held that such messaging, when combined with a pre-selected donation option, had the tendency to induce guilt or moral pressure on consumers to continue with the donation amount instead of making a free and neutral choice.The Authority said this fell within the prohibited dark pattern of “confirm shaming” under the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023.The CCPA further took issue with Physics Wallah advertising certain educational content as “free” while making access conditional upon users compulsorily sharing personal information such as mobile number and email ID and creating an account.It rejected the company’s comparison with government educational platforms like DIKSHA and SWAYAM. The Authority observed that Physics Wallah had not demonstrated any comparable necessity or functional justification for the mandatory disclosure of personal information merely to access content advertised as free..The Authority also independently accessed the platform’s free courses through multiple user accounts. It found that the content, including videos and study material, was identical across accounts and no element of personalisation or customised learning pathway was associated with collection of email addresses or mobile numbers..Physics Wallah denied wrongdoing before the Authority. It submitted that the donation feature was transparent, optional and clearly visible, and that no payment could proceed without confirmation of the total amount. It also said the pre-ticked donation feature had been removed as a compliance measure..However, the CCPA held that subsequent removal of the pre-selected donation mechanism after the issuance of notice could not absolve Physics Wallah of liability for violations already committed.Apart from imposing the ₹5 lakh penalty, the CCPA directed Physics Wallah to ensure that no dark patterns are employed on its platform, website, application or any other digital interface.It also directed the company to submit a compliance report within 15 days from receipt of the order..Physics Wallah was represented by Advocates Prashant Mishra and Rahul..[Read Order]