Every Indian consumer has strong legal rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Whether you bought a faulty phone, got overcharged by a hospital, received poor service from a bank, or got cheated by an online seller — you have the right to file a complaint, get a full refund, and even claim compensation for the trouble caused.
And the best part: filing a consumer complaint doesn’t require a lawyer, and it’s completely free for most cases.
Your 6 Core Consumer Rights
- Right to Safety: Protection from goods and services that are hazardous to life and property
- Right to Information: True information about the quality, quantity, price, and standard of goods
- Right to Choose: Access to a variety of goods at competitive prices
- Right to be Heard: Your complaint must be considered and addressed
- Right to Redressal: Compensation for unfair trade practices or defective goods
- Right to Consumer Education: Right to know your rights as a consumer
What Can You Complain About?
- Defective products (appliances, phones, vehicles, medicines)
- Deficiency in services (hospital, bank, telecom, insurance, real estate)
- Unfair trade practices (false advertising, misleading claims)
- Overcharging beyond the MRP (Maximum Retail Price)
- Online shopping fraud — product not delivered, fake product, no refund
- Restaurant charging more than menu price for water or items
Where to File a Complaint
You have several options depending on how much compensation you are claiming:
- National Consumer Helpline: 1915 — call for immediate guidance and to try to resolve the issue without going to court. Many complaints are resolved through mediation.
- consumerhelpline.gov.in — file a complaint online for free. Many companies respond quickly when a formal complaint is registered here.
- District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission — for claims up to ₹50 lakh. File a complaint yourself (no lawyer needed for amounts below ₹5 lakh) with a filing fee of ₹100–₹500.
- State Consumer Commission — for claims between ₹50 lakh and ₹2 crore
- National Consumer Commission — for claims above ₹2 crore
What You Can Claim
The Consumer Commission can order the seller or service provider to:
- Replace the defective product or repair it free of charge
- Give a full refund of the price paid
- Pay compensation for physical or mental suffering caused
- Pay punitive damages for intentional wrongdoing
- Stop the unfair trade practice
How to Strengthen Your Complaint
- Keep all receipts, invoices, and bills
- Screenshot any advertisements, website claims, or order confirmations
- Save all WhatsApp/email communication with the seller
- First send a legal notice to the company demanding resolution within 15–30 days — this shows good faith and sometimes resolves the matter before court
- File within the time limit: 2 years from the date of the complaint (some exceptions apply)
Free · Available in multiple languages
Quick Summary
- Call 1915 or visit consumerhelpline.gov.in to file a complaint
- File in District Consumer Court for claims up to ₹50 lakh
- Use edaakhil.nic.in for completely online filing
- No lawyer needed for claims below ₹5 lakh
- Keep all receipts, screenshots, and communication as evidence
- You can claim refund, replacement, and compensation
All information sourced from consumerhelpline.gov.in and Consumer Protection Act 2019. MeraHaq is not affiliated with any government body.