Rules 13 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.
Rules 13 to 18 finish the CDRC Rules. They say how the deposit for an appeal to the National Commission is paid (rule 13), how that appeal is presented and heard (rule 14), how many members the National Commission has (rule 15), how its Benches sit and its orders are signed (rule 16), how the deposit for an appeal to the Supreme Court is paid (rule 17) and what State Commissions must report each quarter (rule 18 and Schedule I).
This article takes the rules as amended up to G.S.R. 606(E) dated 17 August 2023, which changed only the fee Table in rule 7. Rules 13 to 18 are as published. Later amendments should be checked on the website of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
The deposit for an appeal to the National Commission is paid by crossed Demand Draft on a nationalised bank in favour of the Registrar, National Commission, payable at New Delhi (rule 13). The appeal follows a procedure like rule 11, with a ninety-day decision target (rule 14). The National Commission has a President and not less than four and not more than eleven members, at least one a woman (rule 15). Benches decide, with the majority opinion prevailing (rule 16). The Supreme Court deposit goes by crossed Demand Draft to the Registrar, Supreme Court, payable at New Delhi (rule 17). State Commissions report quarterly in Schedule I (rule 18).
Appellants often take legal dispute resolution advice on the memorandum and deposit before filing.
Rule 13: deposit on an appeal under section 51
"Where an appeal is filed under section 51, the amount to be deposited by the appellant as provided in the second proviso to the said section shall be remitted in the form of a crossed Demand Draft drawn on a nationalised bank in favour of the Registrar, National Commission, payable at New Delhi." The rule fixes only the form and payee; the amount is in the second proviso to section 51 and is not stated here. For the Act's provisions see our post on sections 51 and 52. "Nationalised bank" is defined in rule 2(1)(g).
Rule 14: procedure on an appeal to the National Commission
Rule 14 follows the pattern of rule 11 for the State Commission, with the National Commission in place of the State Commission. Our article on rule 11 explains the pattern; the table below shows each sub-rule of rule 14.
| Sub-rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| (1) | Memorandum presented by the appellant or his authorised agent to the National Commission in person or sent by registered post |
| (2) | Preferably typed or in legible handwriting; concise grounds under distinct heads, numbered consecutively, without argument or narrative |
| (3) | Accompanied by the crossed Demand Draft as specified in rule 16, a certified copy of the State Commission order appealed against and supporting documents |
| (4) | Appeal after the limitation period under section 51: application supported by an affidavit showing sufficient cause |
| (5) | Four copies of the memorandum |
| (6) | Appearance on the date of hearing; appellant's default: dismiss or decide ex parte on the merits; respondent's default: proceed ex parte and decide on the merits |
| (7) | No new grounds without leave; the National Commission need not confine itself to the grounds, but cannot rest its decision on another ground without giving the affected party an opportunity of being heard |
| (8) | No adjournment ordinarily; first proviso: the Commission may adjourn suo motu for reasons recorded in writing and shall ensure as far as possible that the appeal is decided within ninety days from admission; second proviso: if decided later, reasons are recorded in writing |
A drafting point: rule 14(3) refers to the crossed Demand Draft "as specified in rule 16", although the Demand Draft is described in rule 13 (the National Commission deposit) and rule 17 (the Supreme Court deposit). Read the reference as pointing to the deposit rules and check the official text.
Differences from rule 11 are small. The National Commission proviso in sub-rule (8) allows it to adjourn suo motu for recorded reasons, and there is no limit of "one adjournment" in the National Commission's proviso as in the State Commission's. The memorandum for the National Commission also carries the Demand Draft with it (sub-rule (3)).
An invented example: Pioneer Motors loses before a State Commission and wishes to appeal. It prepares a memorandum with numbered grounds, attaches a certified copy of the State Commission's order, the supporting documents and a crossed Demand Draft in favour of the Registrar, National Commission payable at New Delhi, and files four copies. If the appeal is out of time, it adds an application and an affidavit.
Rule 15: strength of the National Commission
"The National Commission shall consist of a President and not less than four members and not more than eleven members, of whom at least one member shall be a woman." The rule fixes a floor of four and a ceiling of eleven, plus the President, and requires at least one woman among the members. For the Act's provisions on the National Commission see sections 53 to 57.
Rule 16: Benches and signing of orders
Rule 16(1): "Every proceeding of the National Commission shall be conducted by members of a Bench constituted by the President of the National Commission with one or more members as he may deem fit." Rule 16(2): "Every order made by the National Commission shall be signed by the members who conducted the proceeding and if there is any difference of opinion among the members of the Bench, the opinion of the majority shall be the order of the National Commission."
The President constitutes each Bench, with one or more members. The rule does not fix a Bench size. If the Bench divides, the majority opinion is the order. The rule does not say what happens where a Bench divides evenly.
Rule 17: deposit on an appeal to the Supreme Court
"Where an appeal is filed before the Supreme Court under section 67, the amount to be deposited by the appellant as provided in the second proviso to that section shall be remitted in the form of a crossed Demand Draft drawn on a nationalised bank in favour of the Registrar, Supreme Court, payable at New Delhi." As with rule 13 the rule fixes only the form and payee; see our post on sections 67 and 68.
| Appeal | Section | Payee of the Demand Draft | Payable at |
|---|---|---|---|
| To the National Commission | 51 | Registrar, National Commission | New Delhi |
| To the Supreme Court | 67 | Registrar, Supreme Court | New Delhi |
Rule 18 and Schedule I: quarterly returns
"The State Commissions shall furnish information to the Central Government on a quarterly basis in the form as specified in Schedule I to these rules." Schedule I is titled "Present position of Implementation (Quarterly Performance Report)". It has four heads:
- Establishment of State Commissions and District Fora: number of districts, number of District Commissions (set up, functional, non-functional, districts where one is yet to be set up, districts with more than one), whether the State Commission is functional, and strength and vacancies.
- Performance of State Commission and District Commission: total cases filed, cases disposed of, cases disposed of within prescribed time norms, cases disposed of by Lok Adalat method, a break-up of pending cases by age, and disposal within time norms.
- Implementation of the Confonet project: computer hardware and software received, installed and functional, case monitoring system, entry of live case data and posting of cause lists and judgments on the website.
- Training: of members and President, of State and District officers and of staff.
The Schedule is a reporting form for the States; it creates no right for a litigant.
For the money limits that decide which Commission hears a matter see the Jurisdiction Rules, 2021; for the National Commission's own complaint procedure see rule 12.
Need help with an appeal?
If you intend to appeal to the National Commission or the Supreme Court and want the memorandum, deposit and limitation application checked, our legal dispute resolution team can help.
Key takeaways
- The appeal deposit is paid by crossed Demand Draft in favour of the Registrar, National Commission (rule 13) or the Registrar, Supreme Court (rule 17), payable at New Delhi.
- Rule 14 sets the memorandum, copies, hearing and ninety-day target for appeals to the National Commission.
- The National Commission has a President and four to eleven members, at least one a woman.
- Benches are constituted by the President and majority opinion prevails.
- State Commissions send quarterly returns in the Schedule I format.
Read next
- Rule 11: appeal to the State Commission
- Rule 12: complaints before the National Commission
- Sections 51-52: appeal to the National Commission and hearing of appeal
- Sections 67-68: appeal to the Supreme Court and finality of orders
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.