Regulations 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 Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) may engage outside experts and professionals to help it. These regulations say in which disciplines it may do so, what qualifications and experience each discipline needs, how selection works, how the engagement is documented, how performance is reviewed and what happens on a breach.
They are F. No. J-25/6/2020-CCPA of 11 October 2021, made by the CCPA with the previous approval of the Central Government under section 13(3) read with section 104(2)(a) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. This article takes them as amended up to 3 October 2026 (no amendment listed by the Department or the CCPA). Later amendments should be checked on the website of the Department of Consumer Affairs or the CCPA. For the Act, see the article on sections 11 to 14.
The CCPA may decide how many experts to engage in fields such as consumer rights, law, medicine, food safety, engineering, commerce, economics and administration. They are engaged on contract for not less than six months and not more than three years, ordinarily, through a published notice, a selection board and an interview. Each is placed in Level I or Level II and paid a lump sum monthly remuneration under Schedule II. Performance is reviewed every six months, and a breach of the contract can lead to termination and debarment.
Professionals who want to apply, and agencies that work with the Authority, can ask for legal consultation before they sign any engagement document.
Regulations 1 and 2: title and definitions
Regulation 1 gives the title and says the regulations come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. Regulation 2 defines the terms used: the Central Authority (established under section 10 of the Act), the Chief Commissioner (appointed under section 10(2)), the Director General appointed under section 15(2), including any Additional, Joint, Deputy or Assistant Directors General, and "experts and professionals", persons of ability having special knowledge of, and experience in, the field for which they are to be engaged. Other words take the Act's meaning.
Regulation 3: engagement
The Central Authority "may decide on the number of experts and professionals to be engaged" and engage them "in the fields of consumer rights and welfare, consumer policy, law, medicine, food safety, health, engineering, product safety, commerce, economics, public affairs, administration or such other disciplines related to consumer protection, as it may deem fit". The list is open-ended: the words "such other disciplines related to consumer protection" allow more.
Regulation 4: functions
Experts and professionals "discharge such functions as may be assigned to them by the Chief Commissioner for assisting the Central Authority". They assist; they do not decide matters for the Authority.
Regulations 5 and 6: qualifications, levels and remuneration
Under regulation 5(1), those engaged are classified on the basis of qualifications and experience in their specialisation as in Schedule I. Under regulation 5(2), depending on experience, a person is engaged at one of two levels in Schedule II. Regulation 6 says remuneration is paid in accordance with Schedule II.
Schedule II: the two levels
| Level | Preferred experience | Remuneration |
|---|---|---|
| Level I | Up to three years | A lump sum monthly remuneration with an increase on completion of each year |
| Level II | Three to five years | A lump sum monthly remuneration with an increase on completion of each year |
The monthly amounts and the yearly increase are those printed in Schedule II of the Gazette; check that Schedule for the figures, since this article does not restate them.
Regulation 7: performance review
The performance of each expert or professional, "with reference to the tasks assigned to them and output delivered by them", is reviewed every six months by the Central Authority.
Regulation 8: selection procedure
| Sub-regulation | Provision |
|---|---|
| 8(1) | Ordinarily engaged on a contractual basis for not less than six months and not more than three years |
| 8(2) | The Authority publishes on its official website the number to be engaged, qualifications and experience required and remuneration payable, inviting applications for each discipline and level with a stipulated last date; it may also invite applications by public notice |
| 8(3) | A selection board of such number of eminent experts as it deems fit, with special knowledge of the field, is constituted |
| 8(4) | The Authority scrutinises applications and lists eligible candidates for interview for each discipline and level |
| 8(5) | The selection board is convened with the Chief Commissioner's approval for each discipline, and the date and venue are notified sufficiently in advance |
| 8(6) | The board's recommendations are placed before the Authority for decision |
| 8(7) | On approval, each candidate is informed in writing by an offer letter, giving not less than fifteen days to accept |
| 8(8) | After acceptance, a letter of engagement gives not less than thirty days to join; the Authority may extend the joining time where the delay is beyond the candidate's control |
An invented example: the Authority publishes a notice for two Level II experts in economics. Priya Nair applies, is shortlisted and interviewed, and is recommended. She receives an offer letter with at least fifteen days to accept. After she accepts, the letter of engagement gives at least thirty days to join. If a medical emergency delays her, the Authority may extend the joining time under the proviso.
Regulation 9: terms and conditions
- 9(1): before being assigned any work, the person who accepted the offer enters into a contract, which "shall contain a confidentiality clause and details of the terms and conditions of engagement".
- 9(2): the terms may be modified in a specific case if the Authority deems it necessary.
- 9(3): without prejudice to the Authority's legal remedies, any breach of the contract is "a sufficient ground for termination" and "may further debar such expert or professional from future engagement".
The confidentiality clause matters because experts will see material that the CCPA treats as confidential, such as the second part of an investigation report described in the article on the Investigation Wing Regulations.
Regulations 10 and 11: relaxation and interpretation
Regulation 10: the Authority may relax any provision "as may be deemed necessary in the discharge of its functions under the Act after recording the reasons for such relaxations". The recording of reasons is a condition. Regulation 11: if any doubt or difficulty arises in interpretation, it is placed before the Authority and "the decision of the Central Authority shall be final".
Schedule I: disciplines, qualifications and experience
Schedule I (see regulation 5) sets out, for each discipline, essential and desirable qualifications and the experience expected. In short:
| Discipline | Essential qualification (in short) | Experience (in short) |
|---|---|---|
| Law | LL.B or equivalent degree recognised by the Bar Council of India; qualified to be registered as an advocate in a State Bar Council | Judicial or legal work in a court, Government, Regulatory Authority or Tribunal; or Professor, Reader or Lecturer of Law specialising in consumer law; or Legal Manager or senior corporate position handling consumer complaints, product liability or class actions |
| Information Technology | Postgraduate degree in Engineering (Computer Science, Electronics and Communication or Information Science) | Senior level positions in an organisation or corporation dealing with data management, data visualisation and similar work |
| Medical | Master of Science or Doctor of Medicine from a University in India or abroad recognised by the Medical Council of India | Professor, Reader or Lecturer of Medicine, or a person of eminence in the medical profession |
| Science | Postgraduate degree in pure or applied sciences | Senior level work in Government or private organisations dealing with technical and scientific matters; or a teaching position in sciences |
| Economics | Postgraduate degree in Economics with a listed specialisation | Work experience in analysis of microeconomic problems and related fields; or a teaching or research position in specified areas |
| Business Management | Postgraduate degree or postgraduate diploma in Business Management | Managerial positions in marketing, especially in the fast moving consumer goods sector, with knowledge of market surveillance, advertisement policies and similar; or a teaching position in Business Management; desirable: experience handling consumer-related issues including compliance |
Each discipline also lists desirable qualifications, such as a higher qualification with an excellent academic record. The Medical Council of India is named as printed; the current law on medical qualification recognition should be checked, and this article names no replacement. The table summarises; the Schedule's own words govern.
Need help with an engagement or CCPA-related contract?
If you are a professional considering an engagement, or an organisation that wants to understand the confidentiality and termination terms, a careful reading of the contract against regulation 9 can prevent surprises. Our legal consultation team can review the offer and the contract.
Key takeaways
- The Authority may engage experts in listed disciplines and "such other disciplines related to consumer protection".
- Ordinary engagement is on contract for not less than six months and not more than three years.
- Selection is by public invitation, scrutiny, a selection board and the Authority's decision, with an offer letter (at least fifteen days to accept) and an engagement letter (at least thirty days to join).
- Level I and Level II apply by experience, with remuneration under Schedule II.
- Performance is reviewed every six months.
- A breach of the contract can lead to termination and debarment; the contract must contain a confidentiality clause.
Read next
- Regulations 1–7 of the Investigation Wing Regulations, 2021
- CCPA Annual Statement of Accounts Rules, 2021 and Annual Report Rules, 2021
- Sections 11–14: CCPA members, staff and procedure
- CCPA establishment notification and Allocation and Transaction of Business Regulations, 2020
Disclaimer: Based on the rules, regulations and guidelines named above as published in the Gazette of India or on the CCPA website, with the amending notifications the article names (consulted on 3 October 2026). Later amendments, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provisions referred to, State rules and CCPA advisories should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.