The National Consumer Helpline, according to Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, has been instrumental in resolving consumer complaints, resulting in refunds totaling Rs 42.6 crore across 30 sectors from April to December 2025. Joshi highlighted that over 63,800 refund-related grievances were addressed during this period, establishing the helpline as a crucial pre-litigation grievance redressal platform for consumers.
During the National Consumer Day 2025 celebrations at Bharat Mandapam, organized by the Department of Consumer Affairs under the theme “Efficient and Speedy Disposal through Digital Justice,” Joshi emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring timely, accessible, and transparent consumer justice through technology. He noted that in 2025, more than 1.4 lakh consumer cases were resolved, with over 90,000 hearings conducted via video conferencing, showcasing the increasing role of digital tools in expediting justice delivery.
Furthermore, Joshi underscored the stringent actions taken against unfair trade practices, with the Central Consumer Protection Authority issuing over 450 class action notices and imposing penalties exceeding Rs 2.13 crore, particularly targeting misleading advertisements and deceptive digital practices. He reiterated the government’s dedication to upholding fair and trustworthy markets, emphasizing the significance of consumer protection in policy frameworks.
Minister of State for Consumer Affairs B.L. Verma highlighted the pivotal role consumers play in India’s economy today, attributing their empowerment to initiatives like Digital India, Startup India, and Make in India, which have enhanced consumer awareness and knowledge of their rights. Verma also credited campaigns such as ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ for educating citizens on avenues for seeking redressal and understanding consumer rights.
At the event, various digital and awareness programs were launched to bolster consumer protection efforts, including the introduction of an AI-enabled National Consumer Helpline dashboard in collaboration with IIT Kanpur to enhance data-driven grievance resolution. Additionally, the government unveiled a National Quiz on Consumer Awareness on the MyGov platform, open until March 15, 2026, and introduced the Reparability Index logo to promote sustainable consumption and the right to repair. A Laboratory Data Acquisition System was inaugurated at the National Test House in Guwahati to modernize testing infrastructure digitally.
