Consumer Disputes Redressal explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 sets up three Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions: District, State and National. Which one hears a complaint depends on two things: the value of the goods or services paid as consideration, and the place. The value limits printed in the Act (one crore and ten crore rupees) are no longer the working figures; the Consumer Protection (Jurisdiction of the District Commission, the State Commission and the National Commission) Rules, 2021 replaced them with fifty lakh and two crore rupees. If you want the complaint drafted and filed before the right Commission, see our consumer complaint filing service.
Under rules 3 to 5 of the Jurisdiction Rules, 2021 (G.S.R. 912(E) dated 30 December 2021), the District Commission takes complaints where the value of the goods or services paid as consideration does not exceed fifty lakh rupees; the State Commission where it exceeds fifty lakh but does not exceed two crore rupees; the National Commission where it exceeds two crore rupees. The place of filing is fixed by section 34(2) and section 47(4). Appeals run District to State (45 days), State to National (30 days) and National to the Supreme Court (30 days).
The value limits now in force
Sections 34(1), 47(1)(a)(i) and 58(1)(a)(i) of the Act each carry a proviso that lets the Central Government prescribe another value. The Jurisdiction Rules, 2021 were made under those provisos and came into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette (rule 1(2)); the notification is dated 30 December 2021. The rule-wise explanation is in rules 1 to 5 of the Jurisdiction Rules, 2021.
| Commission | Value of goods or services paid as consideration | Rule | Figure printed in the Act (displaced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| District Commission | Does not exceed fifty lakh rupees | Rule 3 | One crore rupees, section 34(1) |
| State Commission | Exceeds fifty lakh but does not exceed two crore rupees | Rule 4 | Above one crore up to ten crore rupees, section 47(1)(a)(i) |
| National Commission | Exceeds two crore rupees | Rule 5 | Above ten crore rupees, section 58(1)(a)(i) |
Three points follow from the wording.
- The measure is the consideration paid. All three rules, like the sections, speak of "the value of the goods or services paid as consideration". Neither the Act nor the Rules print the compensation claimed as a measure of jurisdiction.
- Each rule is "subject to the other provisions of the Act". The limits decide only which Commission entertains an original complaint.
- Unfair contracts. Sections 47(1)(a)(ii) and 58(1)(a)(ii) give the State and National Commissions complaints against unfair contracts, and print ten crore rupees as the dividing line. The 2021 Rules are made in pursuance of the provisos to sub-clause (i) only; they say nothing about sub-clause (ii).
Example: Kavita paid Rs 62 lakh to a builder for a flat and complains of deficiency in service. The consideration paid exceeds fifty lakh and does not exceed two crore rupees, so rule 4 sends the complaint to the State Commission. Had she paid Rs 48 lakh, rule 3 would send it to the District Commission.
Where to file: territorial jurisdiction
For the District Commission, section 34(2) lists four alternatives. A complaint is instituted in the District Commission within the local limits of whose jurisdiction:
- the opposite party, or each of them, ordinarily resides, carries on business, has a branch office or personally works for gain (clause (a));
- any one of several opposite parties actually and voluntarily resides, carries on business, has a branch office or personally works for gain, with the permission of the District Commission (clause (b));
- the cause of action arises, wholly or in part (clause (c)); or
- the complainant resides or personally works for gain (clause (d)).
Section 47(4) repeats the same four alternatives for the State Commission. Section 58 prints no territorial clause for the National Commission. See section 34, section 47 and section 58 for the full text of each.
The District Commission ordinarily functions at the district headquarters (section 34(3)); the State Commission ordinarily at the State capital, with regional benches where the State Government establishes them (section 42(2)); the National Commission ordinarily in the National Capital Region, with regional Benches where the Central Government establishes them (section 53(2)).
Appellate and supervisory jurisdiction
| From | To | Period printed | Section |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order of District Commission | State Commission | 45 days from the date of the order | Section 41 |
| Order of State Commission on an original complaint | National Commission | 30 days from the date of the order | Section 51(1) |
| Order of State Commission passed in appeal | National Commission, only on a substantial question of law | Not printed separately in section 51(2) | Section 51(2) |
| Order of National Commission on an original complaint | Supreme Court | 30 days from the date of the order | Section 67 |
- Delay. Each of sections 41, 51(1) and 67 allows the appeal to be entertained after the period if sufficient cause is shown.
- Deposit. A person required to pay an amount under the order must deposit fifty per cent. of that amount before the appeal is entertained (second provisos to sections 41, 51(1) and 67).
- Mediation settlements. No appeal lies from an order of the District Commission under section 81(1) recording a settlement by mediation (third proviso to section 41).
- Other heads. The State Commission hears appeals against District Commissions within the State and may call for their records where jurisdiction was wrongly exercised, not exercised, or exercised illegally or with material irregularity (section 47(1)(a)(iii) and (b)). The National Commission has the same power over State Commissions and also hears appeals against orders of the Central Authority (section 58(1)(a)(iii), (iv) and (b)).
The appeal sections are explained in sections 40 and 41, sections 51 and 52 and sections 67 and 68.
Review and transfer
Each Commission may review its own order where there is an error apparent on the face of the record, on its own motion or on an application made within thirty days of the order (sections 40, 50 and 60). The State Commission may transfer a complaint from one District Commission to another within the State (section 48). The National Commission may transfer a complaint from a District Commission of one State to a District Commission of another State, or from one State Commission to another (section 62).
Common mistakes
- Using the one crore and ten crore figures printed in the Act. The working figures are fifty lakh and two crore rupees under rules 3 to 5.
- Choosing the Commission by the compensation claimed. The sections and the rules measure the consideration paid.
- Assuming the complaint must be filed where the seller is. Section 34(2)(d) and section 47(4)(d) allow the place where the complainant resides or personally works for gain.
- Filing an appeal without the fifty per cent. deposit where the order directs payment.
- Counting the appeal period from the date the copy was received. Sections 41, 51 and 67 count from the date of the order.
Need help choosing the Commission?
A complaint filed before the wrong Commission loses time. Our consumer complaint filing team checks the consideration paid, the place and the limitation date, then drafts and files the complaint. For the filing steps and the fee, read how a consumer complaint is filed.
Key takeaways
- District Commission: consideration paid up to fifty lakh rupees (rule 3).
- State Commission: above fifty lakh and up to two crore rupees (rule 4).
- National Commission: above two crore rupees (rule 5).
- The figures in sections 34, 47(1)(a)(i) and 58(1)(a)(i) are displaced by the Jurisdiction Rules, 2021.
- Place of filing: section 34(2) and section 47(4), including where the complainant resides or works for gain.
- Appeals: 45 days to the State Commission, 30 days to the National Commission, 30 days to the Supreme Court, each with a fifty per cent. deposit where money is ordered to be paid.
Read next
- Rule 7: fee for filing a consumer complaint
- Section 35: how a complaint is filed
- Section 69: limitation period for complaints
- Sections 48 to 50: transfer of cases, procedure and review by the State Commission
Disclaimer: Based on the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 as enacted and the Consumer Protection (Jurisdiction of the District Commission, the State Commission and the National Commission) Rules, 2021 (G.S.R. 912(E) dated 30 December 2021), as amended up to 3 October 2026 (no amending notification is listed by the Department of Consumer Affairs). Later amendments should be checked on the Department of Consumer Affairs website. This article is general information, not legal advice.