Sections 3-5 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.
Sections 3, 4 and 5 open Chapter II, "Consumer Protection Councils". They set up the Central Consumer Protection Council, say who chairs it and how often it must meet, and state its single object: to advise on promoting and protecting consumers' rights. The Council is advisory, so it does not decide complaints or punish anyone. For how these bodies fit into your own dispute, a short legal consultation can point you to the right forum.
The Central Government establishes the Central Council by notification, from a date it specifies (3(1)). It is an advisory council, chaired by the Minister-in-charge of the Department of Consumer Affairs, with other official and non-official members as prescribed (3(2)). It must meet as and when necessary, but at least one meeting every year (4(1)). Its object is to render advice on promotion and protection of consumers' rights under the Act (5).
Sections 3 to 5 at a glance
| Section | Subject | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| 3(1) | Establishment | Central Government, by notification, from a date it specifies |
| 3(2) | Composition | Advisory council; Minister as Chairperson; other members as prescribed |
| 4(1) | Meetings | As and when necessary; at least one meeting every year |
| 4(2) | Time, place, procedure | Chairperson fixes time and place; procedure as prescribed |
| 5 | Objects | Advice on promotion and protection of consumers' rights |
Section 3(1): establishing the Central Council
"The Central Government shall, by notification, establish with effect from such date as it may specify in that notification, the Central Consumer Protection Council to be known as the Central Council." Two features stand out.
- It is mandatory. The word is "shall", so the Central Government must set the Council up; it is not left to discretion.
- The date is left to the notification. The Act does not print the date. Section 1(3) already allows the Act to be brought into force in parts; see our article on section 1. A reader who needs the date from which the Council existed should look at the notification itself.
The text does not say where the Council sits, whether it has a secretariat, or who pays for its meetings. Those details are not in sections 3 to 5.
Section 3(2): an advisory council and its members
The Central Council "shall be an advisory council". Its members are:
| Limb | Member |
|---|---|
| 3(2)(a) | The Minister-in-charge of the Department of Consumer Affairs in the Central Government, who is the Chairperson |
| 3(2)(b) | Such number of other official or non-official members, representing such interests, as may be prescribed |
The word "prescribed" is defined in section 2(32) as prescribed by rules made by the Central Government or, as the case may be, the State Government. So the number of other members, and the interests they represent, are fixed by rules and not by the Act. This article therefore names no number and no interest group. For the definition, see our article on the other definitions in section 2.
Two observations are worth making:
- "Official and non-official" is a deliberate mix. The Act contemplates government officers and also persons who are not in government service. It does not say who the non-official members are, whether consumer groups, trade bodies, professionals or others; that is left to the rules.
- The Chairperson is fixed by office. The Chair is the Minister holding the portfolio, not a named person, so the Chair changes when the Minister changes.
Section 4: how often and how it meets
Section 4(1). "The Central Council shall meet as and when necessary, but at least one meeting of the Council shall be held every year." So there is a floor of one meeting a year, with more meetings possible whenever needed. The text says "every year" and does not define whether that is a calendar year or a financial year.
Section 4(2). The Council "shall meet at such time and place as the Chairperson may think fit and shall observe such procedure in regard to the transaction of its business as may be prescribed". The Chairperson decides time and place; the procedure is prescribed by rules. The Act does not set a quorum, voting rule or notice period, so none can be stated here.
Compare this with the State and District Councils in section 6 and section 8, which must meet not less than two times a year. The Central Council has the lighter minimum of one. See our article on the State and District Councils.
| Council | Minimum meetings each year | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Central Council | One | 4(1) |
| State Council | Two | 6(3) |
| District Council | Two | 8(3) |
Section 5: the objects of the Central Council
"The objects of the Central Council shall be to render advice on promotion and protection of the consumers' rights under this Act." There is one object, and it is advice. The Council has no power in these three sections to inquire into a complaint, to order a seller to refund money, or to impose a penalty. Those functions belong to the Central Consumer Protection Authority, the Commissions and others; see Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) for the site's overview.
"Consumers' rights" ties back to section 2(9), which lists six rights including the right to be informed, the right to be heard and the right to consumer awareness. See Consumer Rights Under CPA 2019.
Example. The Council meets in its annual meeting and considers a proposal to improve consumer awareness about product labelling. It may advise the Government on promoting that right. It cannot, under section 5, direct a particular company to change its labels. A consumer with a grievance against a particular seller still goes to a Commission or, for a class-wide issue, to the Authority.
What the sections leave out
- No term of office for the non-official members, and no rule on removal or replacement.
- No power to constitute committees, to call experts or to publish reports.
- No requirement that the Government must act on the Council's advice. The word is "advice".
- No role for the Council in individual complaints.
Because the sections are short and the details depend on rules, a reader who needs the current composition or procedure should look at the rules made under the Act and at the notification.
Need help understanding which body to approach?
The Councils give advice to government, and individual disputes go elsewhere. If you are unsure whether your matter belongs before a Commission, the Authority or another forum, we can look at the facts with you. Begin with a legal consultation and bring a summary of the dispute and your documents.
Key takeaways
- The Central Council is established by Central Government notification (3(1)).
- It is advisory and chaired by the Minister-in-charge of the Department of Consumer Affairs (3(2)(a)).
- Other members, official and non-official, are as prescribed (3(2)(b)).
- It meets as necessary, and at least once every year (4(1)).
- Chairperson fixes time and place; procedure is prescribed (4(2)).
- Its sole object is advice on promotion and protection of consumers' rights (5).
Read next
- Sections 6-9: State and District Consumer Protection Councils
- Section 10: establishment of the Central Consumer Protection Authority
- Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
- Introduction to Consumer Protection Act 2019
Disclaimer: Based on the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 as enacted, as consulted on 1 October 2026. Monetary limits, fees and procedure are set or revised by rules and regulations made under the Act and should be checked in their current form. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.