Section 58 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.
Section 58 sets out what the National Commission hears. As enacted, it entertains complaints where the value of the goods or services paid as consideration exceeds rupees ten crore, and complaints against unfair contracts where the value exceeds ten crore rupees. It also hears appeals against orders of any State Commission and against orders of the Central Authority, and can call for the records of a State Commission to correct jurisdictional errors. The section covers benches and split opinions too. If you are choosing a forum for a large claim, a consumer complaint filing review of the value and the route can save time.
As enacted, the National Commission entertains complaints where the consideration paid exceeds rupees ten crore, with power for the Central Government to prescribe another value (58(1)(a)(i)); complaints against unfair contracts where the value exceeds ten crore rupees (58(1)(a)(ii)); appeals against orders of any State Commission (iii) and appeals against orders of the Central Authority (iv). It may call for records of a State Commission that has acted without jurisdiction, failed to use it, or acted illegally or with material irregularity (58(1)(b)). The limits in force today should be checked in the rules.
Section 58 at a glance
| Provision | Subject | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| 58(1)(a)(i) | Original complaints | Value paid exceeds rupees ten crore (as enacted) |
| Proviso | Power to prescribe | Central Government may prescribe another value |
| 58(1)(a)(ii) | Unfair contracts | Value paid exceeds ten crore rupees (as enacted) |
| 58(1)(a)(iii) | Appeals | Against orders of any State Commission |
| 58(1)(a)(iv) | Appeals | Against orders of the Central Authority |
| 58(1)(b) | Revision | Call for records and pass appropriate orders |
| 58(2) | Benches | President constitutes; senior-most member presides |
| 58(3) | Difference of opinion | Majority, else reference to the President; two months |
Section 58(1)(a): what the National Commission hears
(i) Complaints by value, as enacted. "Complaints where the value of the goods or services paid as consideration exceeds rupees ten crore". The proviso: "where the Central Government deems it necessary so to do, it may prescribe such other value, as it deems fit." The Central Government therefore has power to prescribe other values by rules, and the limits currently in force should be checked in the rules; this article states no revised figure. The band starts where the State Commission's band ends; see our article on section 47 and, for the lowest tier, our article on section 34. The site's overview of the bands is at Pecuniary Jurisdiction: Which Forum to Approach.
(ii) Complaints against unfair contracts. "Complaints against unfair contracts, where the value of goods or services paid as consideration exceeds ten crore rupees". This works with section 47(1)(a)(ii), which gives the State Commission unfair-contract complaints up to ten crore rupees. Together, as enacted, unfair-contract complaints go to the State Commission up to ten crore rupees and to the National Commission above it. The proviso on prescribing another value sits under limb (i); the text does not say expressly whether it also governs limb (ii).
(iii) Appeals against State Commission orders. "Appeals against the orders of any State Commission". The conditions for such appeals are in section 51, including the thirty-day period and the deposit; see our article on sections 51-52.
(iv) Appeals against orders of the Central Authority. "Appeals against the orders of the Central Authority". Section 24 gives the right of appeal against Authority orders under sections 20 and 21 within thirty days of receipt; see our article on sections 23-24. Section 58(1)(a)(iv) is the jurisdictional counterpart: it is the National Commission that hears them.
| Matter (as enacted) | Forum |
|---|---|
| Consideration up to one crore rupees | District Commission (34(1)) |
| Above one crore, up to ten crore rupees | State Commission (47(1)(a)(i)) |
| Above ten crore rupees | National Commission (58(1)(a)(i)) |
| Unfair contract, up to ten crore rupees | State Commission (47(1)(a)(ii)) |
| Unfair contract, above ten crore rupees | National Commission (58(1)(a)(ii)) |
| Appeal from a State Commission order | National Commission (58(1)(a)(iii)) |
| Appeal from a Central Authority order | National Commission (58(1)(a)(iv)) |
Example. A company pays fifteen crore rupees for machinery, on the figures as enacted, and alleges defects: the complaint is within 58(1)(a)(i). An advertiser fined by the Central Authority under section 21 appeals to the National Commission under (iv) and section 24. Check the rules for current values.
Section 58(1)(b): calling for records
The National Commission may "call for the records and pass appropriate orders in any consumer dispute which is pending before or has been decided by any State Commission where it appears to the National Commission that such State Commission has exercised a jurisdiction not vested in it by law, or has failed to exercise a jurisdiction so vested, or has acted in the exercise of its jurisdiction illegally or with material irregularity."
This mirrors section 47(1)(b), which gives the State Commission the same supervision over District Commissions. Three grounds: exercising a jurisdiction not vested; failing to exercise a jurisdiction that is vested; acting illegally or with material irregularity. It reaches disputes pending or decided, and speaks of State Commissions only. No time limit is given.
Section 58(2): benches
"The jurisdiction, powers and authority of the National Commission may be exercised by Benches thereof and a Bench may be constituted by the President with one or more members as he may deem fit". Proviso: "the senior-most member of the Bench shall preside over the Bench." The President chooses the number of members on a Bench.
Section 58(3): difference of opinion
"Where the members of a Bench differ in opinion on any point, the points shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority, if there is a majority, but if the members are equally divided, they shall state the point or points on which they differ, and make a reference to the President who shall either hear the point or points himself or refer the case for hearing on such point or points by one or more of the other members and such point or points shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority of the members who have heard the case, including those who first heard it". The proviso gives two months from the date of reference for the President or other member to give an opinion.
| Tier | Period for opinion on a referred point | Section |
|---|---|---|
| District Commission | One month | 39(3) |
| State Commission | One month | 47(3) |
| National Commission | Two months | 58(3) |
The two-month period is as printed; do not carry the one-month figure over.
Territorial limits: what the text says
Section 34(2) and section 47(4) give four territorial limbs for the District and State Commissions: the opposite party's residence or business, the same with permission, the cause of action, and the complainant's residence or place of work for gain. Section 58 contains no such limbs. The text we consulted has no sub-section on territorial jurisdiction for the National Commission. This article does not supply one. The seat is dealt with in section 53(2); see our article on sections 53-57.
What section 58 leaves out
- No territorial rule, as noted above, and no rule on measuring value in a mixed claim.
- No statement whether the prescribed-value proviso applies to limb (ii).
- Procedure is applied from sections 35 to 39 under section 59; see our article on sections 59-60 when published.
Need help choosing the right forum?
For high-value disputes, the forum, the value of consideration and the route of appeal all need to be right. We can check these points, prepare the complaint and manage the filing. Start with consumer complaint filing and bring the contract, the proof of payment and any earlier order.
Key takeaways
- As enacted, the National Commission hears complaints where the consideration paid exceeds rupees ten crore, and unfair-contract complaints above ten crore rupees.
- It hears appeals against State Commission orders and Central Authority orders.
- It can call for records of a State Commission that has acted outside or wrongly within its jurisdiction.
- Benches are constituted by the President; a split referred to the President must be answered within two months.
- The Central Government may prescribe other values; check the rules in force.
- Section 58 has no territorial limbs.
Read next
- Section 47: jurisdiction of the State Commission
- Sections 53-57: National Commission establishment, members and staff
- Sections 51-52: appeal to the National Commission
- Pecuniary Jurisdiction: Which Forum to Approach
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.