6 Core Consumer Rights in India Under Consumer Protection Act 2019

1. Right to Safety

• Definition: The right to be protected against products, production processes, and services that are hazardous to health or life.
• Daily Application: This covers electrical appliances without proper safety insulation, expired medicines, adulterated food products, or vehicles with faulty brake systems.
• Grievance Resolution: If a product lacks standard safety seals (like ISI or AGMARK) or causes injury, the consumer can file a complaint demanding product recall, compensation, or criminal action.

2. Right to Information

• Definition: The right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard, and price of goods or services.
• Daily Application: Manufacturers must disclose manufacturing date, expiry date, maximum retail price (MRP), ingredient details, and origin of country on the packaging.
• Misleading Advertisements: Under the 2019 Act, endorsers and manufacturers can be fined up to ₹10 Lakhs by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) for publishing misleading claims.

3. Right to Choice

• Definition: The right to be assured access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices.
• Daily Application: No shopkeeper or service provider can force you to buy a specific brand or bundle products together (e.g., forcing a customer to buy school uniforms only from a particular shop, or forcing a gas connection customer to purchase a stove from them).

4. Right to be Heard (Representation)

• Definition: The right to voice complaints and be assured that consumer interests will receive due consideration in appropriate forums.
• Corporate Obligation: Most major brands are legally required to establish internal grievance cells.
• State Role: The government must provide public grievance portals (like NCH and e-Daakhil) where citizens can file disputes directly.

5. Right to Seek Redressal

• Definition: The right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or exploitation.
• Available Reliefs:

* Complete refund of the purchase amount.

* Free repair or removal of defects.

* Product replacement with a brand-new unit.

* Compensation for damages, mental agony, and litigation costs.

* Removal of deficiency in service.

6. Right to Consumer Education

• Definition: The right to acquire the knowledge and skill to be an informed consumer.
• Awareness Campaigns: The government's 'Jago Grahak Jago' (Wake up, Consumer, Wake up) campaign is built under this right to educate citizens about market standards and fraud channels.