National Consumer Day Celebration to be chaired by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi

Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, will deliver the inaugural  address and also launch  various key initiatives on the National Consumer Day, for the protection of Consumer Rights. These initiatives include:

Signing of Safety Pledge (a voluntary commitment for ensuring consumer safety) by major e-Commerce platforms: Department of Consumer Affairs after extensive stakeholder consultation finalized  a Safety Pledge, which is a voluntary public commitment of e-Commerce platforms to ensure the safety of goods sold online and respect the consumer rights. Aligned with global best practices, this initiative strengthens consumer protection in the e-Commerce.

On the National Consumer Day 2024 Safety Pledge will be signed by the top executives representing 13  e-commerce platforms belonging to Reliance Retail group, Tata sons group , Zomato and Ola and Swiggy.   Their support and agreement to abide by the safety pledge will go a long way in ensuring protection of consumer rights.

Launch of ‘Jago Grahak Jago App,’ ‘Jagriti App,’ and ‘Jagriti Dashboard” to protect Consumers from the Dark Pattern: The Apps would equip Department of Consumer Affairs with means and resources to identify dark patterns on e-commerce platforms and is soon going to empower consumers with these tools. These are part of an intelligent cyber-physical system, which operates in real-time and runs on the Airawat AI Supercomputer under the National Supercomputing Mission for AI and Data Analytics. This innovative system analyses existing text and design elements on e-commerce platforms to determine whether they are being used to influence consumer psychology. The ‘Jago Grahak Jago App,’ provides essential e-commerce information about all URLs during a consumer’s online activities, alerting them if any URL may be unsafe and requires caution. Meanwhile, the ‘Jagriti App,’ allows users to report URLs where they suspect the presence of one or more dark patterns declared illegal. These reports are then registered as complaints to the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) for possible redressal and subsequent action. Additionally, the CCPA is being strengthened with the ‘Jagriti Dashboard’ which is used to generate real-time reports on e-commerce URLs for the presence of the aforementioned dark patterns, enhancing the capability to monitor and regulate online consumer interactions effectively. This solution will aid the CCPA in identifying dark patterns, speeding up the resolution of consumer disputes and will go a long way in curbing practices that are detrimental to consumer interests

Launch of ‘e-Mapp’ portal for all services Legal Metrology Services: It’s a unified digital platform to integrate State Legal Metrology portals into a single national system. This initiative streamlines licensing, verification, and registration processes for businesses, reduces compliance burdens, and promotes transparency. e-Maap aims to enhance ease of doing business, support consumer rights, and enable data-driven governance. This would enhance ease of doing business for the industry, provide information to the consumers and provide seamless interaction  amongst the Controllers of Legal Metrology of various States

Launch of AI- enabled NCH 2.0: Artificial Intelligence has become a new normal across jurisdictions. It becomes imperative to adapt the innovative facilities and solutions offered by AI, as these will go a long way in empowering consumers. Department has revamped its National Consumer Helpline Portal, incorporating advanced features and thereby offering enhanced functionality, improved navigation and faster grievance resolution. It also features multilingual support and AI-powered chatbots, ensuring a seamless and inclusive experience for consumers across the country.

SMART Standards from 2025: Traditionally standards are written in word processing documents and then converted into PDF with the focus on HUMANS as primary users. While these standards are great for reading, it’s difficult for computers to understand. In today’s digital landscape, the systems and machines are becoming more complex, more intelligent, capable of learning and adapting. Hence the standards shall also evolve into Machine-readable. Smart Standards are designed to be easily understood by both humans and machines. They are:

(i).        Interactive: Navigate easily, find specific information quickly.

(ii).        Intelligent: Search across multiple sources, extract relevant requirements.

(iii).        Dynamic: Access cross-references and related content instantly.

Embracing the digital evolution, BIS, has started its smart journey. A journey that will revolutionize the way we create standards and the way the stakeholders use the standards.

Inauguration of the ‘Organic Food Testing Laboratory’ at National Test House, Guwahati & ‘Low Voltage Switch Gear Testing Facility ‘at National Test House, Mumbai:

National Test House (NTH) is a leading scientific institution in the country, specializing in Testing, Calibration, and Quality Evaluation. Two state-of-the-art facilities of NTH shall be inaugurated on the occasion of National Consumer Day. These initiatives underscore NTH’s dedication to enhancing product safety, quality, and consumer trust across the nation.

The first initiative is an Organic Food Testing Laboratory at NTH (NER), Guwahati. The primary objective of the food testing lab facility is to safeguard public health. This laboratory is notified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and recognized by BIS under the Lab Recognition Scheme.

The second initiative pertains to ensuring  electrical safety and quality. Towards this end NTH has established a Low Voltage Switchgear Testing Laboratory in Mumbai. This advanced facility will offer comprehensive support and certification services, including specialized short-circuit testing. Additionally, it will serve as a vital resource for manufacturers and academic institutions for Research and Development (R&D).

Dedication of ‘Software Testing Facility for Weighing & Measuring Instrument’ at Regional Reference Standard Laboratory, Ahmedabad to the Nation: To ensure the accuracy, reliability, and global compliance of weighing and measuring instruments, Department of Consumer Affairs  in collaboration with C-DAC, is establishing Software Testing Facilities at 6 Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs). Currently, C-DAC has completed the installation of the testing facility at RRSL Ahmedabad. The software testing facility supports “Make in India” by enabling domestic manufacturers to meet international standards, reduce certification costs, and boost global market competitiveness.

Felicitation of the winning teams and Mentors of ‘Tomato  Grand Challenge’

On 30th June 2023, Department of Consumer Affairs in collaboration with M/o Education (Innovation Cell) launched the Tomato Grand Challenge (TGC). The aim of Tomato Grand Challenge was to develop “Technologies for Pre-production, Primary Processing, Post-Harvest, Storage and Valorisation of Tomato” to be set up at the farm / rural / urban levels. The Tomato Grand Challenge was opened to students and researchers, start-ups, and small & medium enterprises. A total of 1376 ideas were received. After three stage evaluation process and site visits by team of DoCA and AICTE officers, Three teams have been selected by the Department as winning solutions.  The winning teams that would be facilitated are

(i).Team from Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies  for developing ‘Tomatolixir– a biopesticide” aimed at eliminating Foliar pathogens in tomato at low cost.

(ii).Team from National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha. The team has developed a “Zero Energy Cooling Mobile Unit”, a sustainable, energy-free solution that preserves tomatoes, reduces post-harvest losses, and extends shelf life using evaporative cooling principles without relying on electricity or external energy sources.

iii). Team from Fruvetech Private Ltd, IIT, Delhi for developing “Tomostat Tomotrans”, an innovative device aimed at enhancing shelf life of tomato during post-harvest storage.

Felicitation of the winning teams of various competitions organized by National Law Universities in association with the Department of Consumer Affairs.

(i).Felicitation of the winners of 6th National Quiz Competition on Consumer Law conducted by Consumer Chair, National Law University, New Delhi

(ii). Felicitation of the Winners of the National Moot Court Competition on Consumer Protection Law conducted by Chair On Consumer Research And Policy, NUSRL Ranchi

(iii).Felicitation of the winners of the Essay Competition conducted by Chair on Consumer Law and Practice, National Law School of India University, Bengaluru.

Handing over of standard weights and measures to the State Government for empowerment of State Legal Metrology Departments: Department of Consumer Affairs from time to time provides State Governments with ‘standard weights and measures’ to ensure accurate measurements in trade and commerce. These ‘reference’, ‘secondary’, and ‘working standards’ are traceable to international systems. This  initiative fosters consumer protection, fair trade, and global measurement alignment. The Hon’ble Minister of CAF&PD would be handing over these ‘standard weights’ to Controllers of Legal Metrology of 4 States on the National Consumer Day 2024

Exchange of MoU between Legal Metrology Department and Gujarat Law University for collaboration in areas of mutual interest: In a significant step towards enhancing consumer protection and legal metrology expertise, the Department of Consumer Affairs has signed a landmark MoU with Gujarat National Law University (GNLU). This first-of-its-kind partnership aims to bridge academic research with practical consumer protection strategies by fostering institutional cooperation, implementation and interpretation of the Standards of Weights and Measures under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, organizing interdisciplinary events such as seminars, conferences, workshops, and lectures, developing targeted training programs focusing on consumer rights and awareness, facilitating effective grievance redressal mechanisms; sharing research and development (R&D) facilities and much more.

Launch of various e Books and submissions of Reports: 

(i).Submission of Report on Reorientation of Consumer Commissions an Impact Assessment study conducted by Indian Institute of Management  Rohtak

(ii).Launch of updated e-Book on Packaged Commodities Rules summarising all the amendments / updation at one place.

Every year, the National Consumer Day is celebrated on 24^th December with a lot of grandeur, as this day marks the shifting significance of consumer movement in India. It was on this day that the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 received the presidential assent and was enacted. The law came into effect to safeguard the interests and rights of consumers, ensuring that they are protected against unfair trade practices, fraud, and exploitation. Since then, the Consumer Day is celebrated every year with different themes to focus on specific issues, trends, and challenges that consumers face in the evolving market environment.

This year the Consumer Day is being celebrated in Delhi, with the theme, “Virtual Hearings & Digital Access to Consumer Justice”. The theme corresponds with the objectives of the new Consumer Protection Act, 2019 which is aimed at providing speedy, cost-effective and hassle free justice to the consumers. The amended act highlights the importance of digital medium and tools in ensuring that consumers can access justice in an increasingly online world. Along with the provisions of e-filing of consumer complaints and e-commerce, the act includes the enabling provisions to access justice via digital platforms.

Accordingly, the Department has strengthened the three tier quasi-judicial justice delivery system by facilitating them with video conferencing and integrated case management facilities. Over the years, the Department has shown agility in adopting technology and innovations in its framework by making portals like National Consumer Helpline (NCH), e-daakhil, e-jagriti, available to the consumers across India. These platforms are constantly reviewed and updated with integrated advanced technologies such as AI based speech recognition, transition system, multilingual chatbot etc. These innovations strive to make the grievance filing and redressal process more seamless, efficient and inclusive. Therefore, we are increasingly focusing on the digital landscape, addressing emerging issues like e-commerce, data privacy and online advertising. Hence, the theme.

The importance of “digitization” and “virtual delivery of justice” is ingrained in this year of our agenda. Along with being committed to highlighting the importance of digital delivery of justice to consumers, we are eager to promote the spirit of sustainability, by going for digital stationery. Further, on this consumer day, the importance of the theme is also reflected in the topics of the three technical sessions. The topics of discussion this year will be; “Health washing and how it affects consumer choices”, “Ensure effective execution of Consumer Commission orders” and “E-Jagriti/Virtual hearings: Towards efficient, hassle free and cost-effective justice delivery system”.