25th Anniversary of Consumer Protection Act, 1986

Consumer Awareness and National Development

Consumer awareness and protection are true indicators of a country’s development and the progressiveness of its civil society. Growing awareness about consumer rights, coupled with an increasing concern for value for money, has led to the universal acceptance of the need to protect and promote consumer interests.

The Consumer Protection Act, 1986

The Consumer Protection Act was enacted on 24 December 1986 with the objective of safeguarding the interests of consumers. The Act came into force on 15 April 1987. It incorporates the consumer protection guidelines laid down by the United Nations, thereby aligning India’s consumer laws with global standards.

Rights of Consumers

The Act enshrines six fundamental rights of consumers:

• Right to Safety
• Right to be Informed
• Right to Choose
• Right to be Heard
• Right to Seek Redressal
• Right to Consumer Education

The provisions of this Act are in addition to those provided under other existing laws for consumer welfare, ensuring comprehensive protection.

Institutional Framework for Consumer Protection

The Department of Consumer Affairs functions as the nodal department for consumer protection in India. The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 empowered this department to establish a simple, inexpensive, and time-bound dispute resolution mechanism exclusively for consumers.

Three-Tier Consumer Dispute Redressal System

The Act created a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery for consumer dispute redressal at:

• District level (District Consumer Forums)
• State level (State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions)
• National level (National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission)

At present, the system comprises 629 District Fora, 35 State Commissions, and one National Commission across the country.

Consumer Protection Councils

The Act also provides for the establishment of Consumer Protection Councils at the Central, State, and District levels. These councils serve as advisory bodies to promote and protect consumer interests.

Technology and Infrastructure Development

To enhance efficiency and transparency, consumer fora across the country are being computerized and networked under the CONFONET (Computerization and Computer Networking of Consumer Fora) scheme. Additionally, the Central Government provides financial assistance to States and Union Territories to strengthen the infrastructure of consumer fora for effective functioning.

Commemorative Postage Stamp

To mark the significance of this landmark legislation, the Department of Posts is pleased to issue a commemorative postage stamp on the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to safeguarding consumer rights.