India will observe National Consumer Day on December 24, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding consumer rights and strengthening grievance redressal mechanisms. The day commemorates the presidential assent to the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, which laid the foundation for a structured consumer rights framework in the country.
The theme for National Consumer Day 2025, “Efficient and Speedy Disposal through Digital Justice,” reflects the government’s emphasis on technology-driven, accessible, and timely resolution of consumer disputes. The observance will feature a series of launches, recognitions, and announcements aimed at enhancing consumer awareness, digital grievance redressal, quality assurance, and institutional capacity.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which came into force in July 2020, marked a major reform by replacing the 1986 law and introducing a modern framework to address emerging marketplace challenges. The Act guarantees key consumer rights, including the right to information, protection against unfair trade practices, and access to effective redressal.
Consumer disputes are addressed through a three-tier mechanism comprising District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions, State Commissions, and the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. In July 2025, ten states and the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission recorded disposal rates exceeding 100 percent, indicating faster clearance of cases than new filings.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority, established in July 2020, plays a crucial role in protecting collective consumer interests. It monitors unfair trade practices, regulates misleading advertisements, orders product recalls, and imposes penalties where necessary.
The launch of e-Jagriti on January 1, 2025, has significantly transformed consumer justice delivery. The platform integrates earlier systems into a single digital interface, enabling online filing, virtual hearings, payments, and real-time case tracking across all states and Union Territories.
By mid-November 2025, e-Jagriti had facilitated over 1.35 lakh case filings and enabled disposal of more than 1.31 lakh cases, supported by over 2.81 lakh registered users, including non-resident Indians. The platform has also improved efficiency, with disposal rates surpassing new filings during multiple months in 2025.
The AI-enabled National Consumer Helpline 2.0 has expanded access to consumer support through multilingual services, chatbots, and faster grievance handling. The helpline now resolves over 12 lakh complaints annually, with digital channels accounting for nearly 65 percent of registrations. Between April and October 2025, refunds worth Rs. 27.61 crore were facilitated across multiple sectors.
Institutions such as the Bureau of Indian Standards and the National Test House continue to strengthen quality assurance and testing infrastructure. The Bureau of Indian Standards has expanded mandatory certification coverage to 773 products, while the National Test House is adopting digital systems to reduce testing turnaround time and improve efficiency.
Recent amendments to the Legal Metrology Rules in 2025 have enhanced transparency in packaging, pricing, medical device labeling, and e-commerce disclosures, further empowering consumers to make informed choices.
