INDEX

1. Introduction
2. Objective
3. Who is a Consumer?
4. Consumer Protection and Common
Problems faced by a Consumer in Market
Place
5. Consumer Movement in India
6. Consumer Protection Act, 1986
6.1 Three-tier System
6.2 Consumer Rights
7.Learning to become a well-informed
Consumer
7.1 Consumer Responsibilities
7.2 Quality Standard Marks
8. Conclusion
 1.INTRODUCTION:-
We go to market and buy a variety of goods
and avail services required in or day-to-day
life. In exchange of these goods and services,
we pay money and derive satisfaction by
consuming them. But sometimes, we feel
dissatisfied due to poor quality, high prices,
false promises made in advertisements, hidden
information and costs, etc. and so on. This is
done because we are not aware of our rights
as a consumer.
 2. OBJECTIVE:-
The objective of the project is to reduce
consumer exploitation by making them aware
about their rights as a consumer.

3.WHO IS CONSUMER?
Under the Consumer Protection Act, a
consumer is defined as:
Any person who buys any goods for a
consideration, which has been paid or
 promised, or partly paid and partly
promised, or under any scheme of deferred
payment. It includes any user of such goods,
when such use is made with the approval of
the buyer, but does not include a person who
obtains goods for resale or any other
commercial purpose.

Any person who hires or avails of any

service, for a consideration which has been
paid or promised, or partly paid and partly
promised, or under any system of deferred
payment. It includes any beneficiary of
services when such services are availed of
with the approval of the person concerned, but
does not include a person who avails of such
services for any commercial purpose.
4.Consumer Protection and Common
Problems faced by a Consumer in
Market Place:-
Consumer protection refers to the measures
adopted to safeguard the interest and rights
of consumers and to help them in getting
their grievances redressed. Consumer
protection means protecting the consumers
from unscrupulous, exploitative and unfair
trade practices of a seller or a producer for
maximizing their profits.

The importance of consumer protection

from consumer’s point of view can be
understood from the following points:
• Consumer’s Ignorance:
 In the light of widespread ignorance of
consumers about their rights and reliefs
available to them, it becomes necessary to
make them aware about their rights and
redressal available.
• Unorganized Consumers:
Generally, in India, though we have
NGOs and Consumer organizations,
consumers are not organized. Thus, to
protect and promote their interest, adequate
consumer protection is required.

• Widespread Exploitation of the

Consumers:
Unaware, ignorant consumers might
be exploited by marketer and thus, consumer
protection provides safeguard to the
consumers from such exploitation
 Consumers face problems in market
place due to some common malpractices
by shopkeepers which are given below:
Sale of adulterated goods i.e., selling
goods by adding something inferior to
the product being sold.
Sale of spurious goods i.e., selling
something of little value instead of the
real product.
Sale of sub-standard goods i.e., sale of
goods which do not confirm to
prescribed quality standards.
Misleading advertisements i.e., false
claims made in advertisements by
marketer.
Overcharging of price i.e., selling
product at price which is higher than
MRP
 Fake scarcity to raise the price and
black marketing by hoarding of products
 Sale of defective good.
 5.Consumer Movement in India:-

During 1960s, in India, the consumer

movement were originated as social force to
protect the interest of consumers against the
malpractices adopted by marketer.
Some of the main reasons for Consumer
Movement were:
Lack of legal system to protect the
consumers from exploitation in the
marketplace
Rampant food shortages
Black marketing
Hoarding
Adulteration of food and edible oil
 Till the 1970s, objectives, set at the time of
origin, were not achieved as consumer
organizations largely engaged in writing
articles and holding exhibitions. Then, they
formed consumer groups to look into the
malpractices in ration shops and overcrowding
in the road passenger transport.
Till the 1970s, consumer organizations
were largely engaged in writing articles and
holding exhibitions. They formed consumer
groups to look into the malpractices in ration
shops and overcrowding in the road passenger
transport.
More recently, India witnessed an upsurge
in the number of consumer groups.

6.Consumer Protection Act, 1986:-

Consumer Protection Act, 1986 was passed in
year 1986 and was enforced from July 1st
1987 with the motive to protect the interest of
consumers from being exploited by
shopkeepers or markets to maximize profits
which ultimately harm the well-being of the
consumer and society.
 This Act teaches the consumers to make right
choices by educating them about their rights
and responsibilities of being a consumer and
make them aware that how to seek redressal if
they face any kind of exploitation.
This Consumer Protections Act, 1986:
 applies to all goods, services and unfair trade
practices unless specifically exempted by the
Central
 Government
 covers all sectors-private, public or co-
operative
 provides for establishment of consumer
protection councils at the central, state and
district levels,
 i.e., three tier machinery system

6.1 Three-tier System:-

District Forum
• A complaint can be made to the appropriate
District Forum when the value of goods or
services in question along with the
compensation claimed does not exceed ` 20
lakh.
• The appeal against the orders of the
District Forum can also be filed before the
State Commission.
State Commission
• A complaint can be made to the appropriate
State Commission when the value of goods or
services in question along with the
compensation claimed exceeds ` 20 lakh but
does not exceed ` 1 crore.
• The appeal against the orders of the State
Commission can also be filed before the
National Commission.
National Commission
• A complaint can be made to the appropriate
National Commission when the value of goods
or services in question along with the
compensation claimed exceeds ` 1 crore.
• An order passed by the National
Commission in a matter of its original
jurisdiction is appealable before the Supreme
Court.

6.2 Consumer Rights:-

A consumer is an important participant in the
market. In case of consumer exploitation, the
rights of the consumer must be protected.
There are six consumer rights as mentioned in
the regulatory Consumer Protection Act of
1986.
Right to Safety
• Consumer has a right to be protected against
marketing of those goods and services which are
hazardous to life, health and property.
• This states that consumer has a right to get
protection against the risks caused due to the use of
substandard products or products that do not
confirm to the safety norms.
Right to Choose
• This right gives the freedom to the consumer to
choose goods or avail services from a variety of
products at competitive prices.
• As per COPRA, to enable the consumer to make
the right choice, the marketers should offer a wide
variety of product in terms of quality, price, size etc.
Right to be Heard
• If a consumer feels dissatisfied with a product or
a service, he/she has a right to file a complaint and
to be heard in consumer court.
• It is because of this reason; many firms have set
up their own consumer service and grievance cells.
Right to Seek Redressal
• The consumer has a right to get relief in case the
product or service falls short of his expectations.
• The Consumer Protection Act provides relief to
customers such as replacement of product, removal
of defect in the product, compensation for any loss
or injury suffered by the consumer.
Right to be Informed
• The consumer has a right to have complete
information about the product he intends to buy
such as ingredients, date of manufacturing, price,
quantity, etc.
• It is because of this reason that the legal
framework in India requires the manufacturers to
provide such information on the package and label
of the product.
Right to Consumer Education
• A consumer has a right to acquire knowledge on
matters regarding consumer protection and their
rights and to be a well-informed consumer.
• A consumer must be aware about the rights,
responsibilities and reliefs made him/her available in
case of a product or service falling short of his
expectations.

7.Learning to become a well-

informed Consumer:-
7.1 Consumer Responsibilities
A person must his/her responsibilities to
become a well-informed consumer. A person,
as a consumer, should make every effort to
educate himself/herself about his/her rights.
Responsibilities that a consumer should
discharge while purchasing, using and
consuming goods and services:
• Be aware about various goods and services
available in the market so that an intelligent
and wise
choice can be made.
• Buy only standardized goods as they
provide quality assurance. Thus, look for ISI
mark on electrical
goods, FPO/FSSAI mark on food products,
Hallmark on jewelry etc.
• Learn about the risks associated with
products and services, follow manufacturer’s
instructions and
use the products safely.
• Read labels carefully so as to have
information about prices, net weight,
manufacturing and expiry
dates, etc.
• Assert yourself to ensure that you get a fair
deal.
• Be honest in your dealings. Choose only
from legal source and discourage
unscrupulous practices
like black-marketing, hoarding etc.
• Ask for a cash memo on purchase of goods
or services. This would serve as a proof of the
purchase
made.
• File a complaint in an appropriate
consumer forum in case of a shortcoming in
the quality of goods
purchased or services availed. Do not fail to
take an action even when the amount involved
is small.
• Form consumer societies which would play
an active part in educating consumers and
safeguarding their interests.
• Respect the environment. Avoid waste,
littering and contributing to pollution.
 7.2Quality Standard Marks
i. Quality standard marks are official symbols
or logos found on products to certify that
they meet the required safety, quality, and
reliability standards.
ii. These marks help protect consumers from
unsafe, fake, or poor-quality products.
iii. Government organizations like BIS, FSSAI,
and DMI issue these marks after testing and
inspection.
iv. Some common quality standard marks in
India include:
- ISI Mark – For industrial and electrical
goods.
- AGMARK – For agricultural and food
products.
- FSSAI – For packaged food and
beverages.
- Hallmark – For gold, silver, and precious
metals.
- ECO Mark – For environment-friendly
products.
v. These marks ensure that the product:
- Is safe for use or consumption.
- Has passed through quality testing
 procedures.
- Is genuine and not counterfeit.
vi. Consumers should always check for quality
marks before buying products, especially
food, electrical goods, or jewelry.
vii. Products without these marks can be
unsafe, faulty, or harmful, and consumers
may not be protected under consumer laws.
viii. Having a quality mark also gives the
consumer a right to complain or take legal
action if the product fails or causes harm.
ix. These marks build trust between the
consumer and the manufacturer.

Conclusion
In conclusion, consumer rights play a vital role
in ensuring fair treatment, safety, and
protection for every individual in the
marketplace. Through this project, I have
learned the importance of being an informed
and responsible consumer. Understanding
quality standard marks, legal rights, and
consumer responsibilities empowers us to
make smart choices and seek justice when
needed. Awareness among consumers not only
protects them from exploitation but also
promotes honesty and accountability among
producers and service providers. It is essential
for all of us to know our rights, check for
quality marks, read labels, and support ethical
business practices. Only then can we build a
fair and trustworthy consumer environment in
our society.

Bibliography

1. NCERT Social Science Textbook-Class (CBSE)

2. Official Website Of Bureau Of India

Standard https://www.bis.gov.in
3. FSSAI Official Website https://www.fssai.gov.in.

4. Directorate of Marketing and Inspection

(AGMARK) https://www.dmi.gov.in.

5. Consumer Protection Act, 2019 –

Government of India.
6. National Portal of India .https://www.india.gov.in/.
7. Teacher Guidance And Classroom Lechers.
8. Various Articles And Info-graphics On
Consumer Rights From Government
Education Portals