National Consumer Day is observed annually in India to highlight the importance of consumer rights and empower citizens to make informed choices. In 2025, this day aims to raise awareness among students and the general public about their legal rights as consumers and the mechanisms in place to protect them.
December 24 is celebrated as “National Consumer Day” in Bharat. On December 24, 1986, the President of India approved legislation, viz. The Consumer Protection Act,1986. One may ask as to whether what was condition for Consumers legal remedy prior to 1986 Act.? Earlier, there were no rules or laws to protect consumers’ rights or grievances. Consumer has to seek remedy under the Indian Contract Act, Sale of Goods Act, Civil Laws, etc. The remedies under these laws were very lengthy and based on evidence. Hence, consumers rarely raise complaints.
Akhil Bhartiy Grahak Panchayat played a pivotal role in shaping and framing the Consumer Law, putting pressure on the Maharashtra Government to formulate legislation for Consumers. Subsequently, the Central Government introduced a Bill in Parliament, which was passed by both Houses. Thus, on December 24, the Consumer Protection Act was enacted, and it was decided to celebrate this Day as National Consumers Day. The enactment of this Act is considered as a historic milestone in the consumer movement in the country.
Consumer Protection Act 1986 aims to provide consumers with effective safeguards against different types of exploitation such as defective goods, deficiency in services and unfair trade practices.
Objectives of the CPA,1986
1. To promote and protect the rights of Consumer such as Right to
o be protected against the marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property.
o be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services, as the case may be so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices.
o be assured, wherever possible, access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices.
o be heard and to be assured that consumer’s interest will receive due consideration at appropriate forums.
o seek redressal against unfair trade practices or restrictive trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers.
o to consumer education.
2. To provide speedy and simple redressal to consumer, a quasi – judicial machinery is sought to be set up at the district, State & Central level.
Due to Globalisation, Liberalisation & Privatisation of trade across world, ways of business changed and in the beginning of 21st Century internet and in second decade, social media played important role, changing totally business as well consumer behaviour pattern. Ecommerce, Online Trading & Purchasing & Banking & Payment Methods, need to incorporate these in CPA,1986 was felt and all these were incorporated into Consumer Protection Act,2019.
The word ‘Consumer’ refers to ‘consuming’. Whereas ‘Grahak’ denotes
acceptance with understanding whether it is goods or services. Consumer relates to the materialistic concept. Thus, there is a vast difference in the meaning of the words ‘Consumer’ and ‘Grahak’. The word “Grahak” has no equivalent in English. The word ‘Consumer’ implies consumption without thought. A ‘Grahak’, on the other hand, means one who applies his mind, intellect and then consumes. To elaborate the point, a person consuming liquor can be a consumer but not a Grahak because he does not apply his mind to the aftereffects of consumption.
Present Scenario
Consumer is omnipresent. It has no class or classification. However, due to exorbitant usage of social media platforms, consumers as of date, are not safe. Particularly, cybercrime and fraud are on the rise, and we are not all safe in the market.
National Consumer Day on December 24 highlights every citizen’s right—and responsibility—to be informed, vigilant, and proactive in the marketplace. Whether learned in a classroom or practised in everyday life, adopting safe, ethical, and responsible consumer behaviours benefits not just individuals but society.
National Consumer Day has become an annual event to remember the Consumer. We may see big government offices, banks and other semi-government agencies. Consumer is remembered and forgotten the next day. Though the government has taken many initiatives to protect consumers and consumer rights, there is still a long way to go, and more remains to be done in the areas of deepfakes, Digital Arrests, and AI-generated videos to safeguard consumers.
