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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 March 2025

Home / UPSC / Current Affairs / World Consumer Rights Day 2025 and Consumer Protection Initiatives

World Consumer Rights Day 2025 and Consumer Protection Initiatives

Introduction:

  • World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) is observed annually on March 15 to promote and protect consumer rights globally.
  • The day commemorates President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 address to the US Congress, where he formally recognized consumer rights.
  • The theme for WCRD 2025 is “A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles”, emphasizing the need for sustainable and healthy lifestyle choices that are accessible and affordable for all consumers.
World Consumer Rights Day 2025

Why in News:

  • The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, has introduced several initiatives to strengthen consumer protection, enhance grievance redressal mechanisms, and promote sustainable consumption.
  • These initiatives are aligned with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and aim to create a transparent, fair, and consumer-friendly marketplace.
  • For UPSC aspirants, this topic is relevant for GS Paper 2 (Governance) and GS Paper 3 (Economy), as it covers consumer rights, e-commerce regulations, and sustainable development.

Key Initiatives by the Department of Consumer Affairs:

  • Consumer Protection Act, 2019:
    • Replaced the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 to address challenges in the era of globalization, e-commerce, and digital transactions.
    • Established a three-tier quasi-judicial mechanism (District, State, and National Consumer Commissions) for speedy redressal of consumer disputes.
    • Mandates disposal of complaints within 3 months (if no testing is required) and 5 months (if testing is required).
  • Consumer Welfare Fund (CWF):
    • Provides financial assistance to promote consumer welfare and strengthen the consumer movement in India.
    • Funds are allocated to states/UTs on a 75:25 basis (90:10 for Special Category states/UTs) to create a Consumer Welfare Corpus Fund.
    • During 2024-25, ₹32.68 crore was released to 24 states and 1 UT for establishing/enhancing their corpus funds.
  • E-Daakhil and E-Jagriti Portals:
    • E-Daakhil: An online platform for filing consumer complaints, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure hassle-free grievance redressal.
    • E-Jagriti: Aims to streamline case filing, tracking, and management, ensuring faster resolution of disputes through automation and digitization.
  • National Consumer Helpline (NCH) 2.0:
    • Upgraded with AI-powered speech recognition, multilingual support, and a chatbot to enhance consumer grievance redressal.
    • Integrated with regulatory bodies like FSSAI and BIS for swift resolution of complaints.
    • Handled 1,55,138 calls in December 2024, compared to 12,553 calls in December 2015.
  • Jaago Grahak Jaago Portal and Mobile App:
    • Provides consumers with information about unsafe URLs and empowers them to make informed decisions during online transactions.
  • E-Commerce Regulations:
    • Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020: Safeguard consumers from unfair trade practices and outline responsibilities of e-commerce entities.
    • Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023: Addresses 13 deceptive practices in e-commerce, such as hidden charges and misleading advertisements.
    • BIS Draft Standard on E-Commerce Self-Governance: Aims to establish a transparent and ethical framework for online marketplaces, ensuring consumer rights and fair business practices.

Conclusion:

  • The initiatives by the Department of Consumer Affairs reflect the government’s commitment to empowering consumers, ensuring fair trade practices, and promoting sustainable consumption.
  • These efforts align with the global theme of “A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles” and contribute to building a safer, transparent, and consumer-friendly economy.

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