EdTech startups in India consult ASCI to enhance communication

The Indian Edtech Consortium (IEC) was recently formed for self-regulation whose existence was originally highlighted by ET, has had several meetings with the self-regulatory authority for advertising to finalize its advertising code and how edtech products are marketed.

Leading Indian edtech companies including Byju's, Unacademy, and upGrad, are part of this recently created self-regulatory consortium,which is now further collaborating with the Advertising Standards Council of India to address one of the most critical challenges for the online education sector: communication.

After a meeting between the IEC and the Ministry of Education, officials from the ministry told the consortium that they should implement proposed self-regulatory laws in spirit, and that they should not allow advertisements, for example, that makes a specific promise on jobs or any other related outcome.

ET reported earlier this month on the increased focus on edtech firms' business practices, which began in December with Karti Chidambaram, Lok Sabha member for Sivaganga, arguing for the need to regulate the sector. Soon after, the government spoke about the need to regulate the sector, and education minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that interministerial discussions are underway to develop an edtech regulation framework.

While the IEC collaborates closely with ASCI, the government is alleged to have advised the consortium that the initiative to create edtech codes is a positive step forward. And, as long as they are followed honestly, the government will not take a heavy-handed approach and will instead opt for a light-touch approach.