Matters we handle
- Rejected or delayed insurance claims
- Defective products and refusal to refund or replace
- Deficiency in banking and financial services
- Builder delays and defects in flats
- Medical negligence claims
- E-commerce, travel and education service disputes
- Defending businesses against consumer complaints
Where these matters are heard
- District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions in Hyderabad
- Telangana State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
- National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
The law that applies
Complaints are filed under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Under the current pecuniary limits, the District Commission hears complaints where the value of goods or services paid for is up to ₹50 lakh, the State Commission above ₹50 lakh up to ₹2 crore, and the National Commission above ₹2 crore.
A complaint must ordinarily be filed within two years of the cause of action (section 69), and can be filed where the complainant lives or works. Complaints can be filed online through the e-Daakhil portal.
How the process generally works
Check the claim
Whether you are a consumer under the Act, and the value and date of the transaction.
Legal notice
A notice to the seller or service provider often resolves the matter.
File the complaint
In the correct Commission, online or in person, with supporting documents.
Reply and evidence
The opposite party replies; both sides file evidence by affidavit.
Order and execution
Refund, replacement or compensation, and execution if not complied with.
Documents to keep ready
- Invoice, receipt or policy document
- Correspondence with the seller or service provider
- Rejection letter, if any
- Photographs or expert reports on the defect
Terms you may hear
- Consumer forum / consumer court
- The common names for the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions at district, state and national level.
- Deficiency in service
- Any fault, shortcoming or inadequacy in the quality or manner of a service that was paid for.
- Unfair trade practice
- Misleading advertisements, false claims or unfair methods used to sell goods or services.
- e-Daakhil
- The online portal for filing consumer complaints.
- NCH 1915
- The National Consumer Helpline, for registering grievances before going to the Commission.
Questions people ask
I bought a defective product and the company refuses to replace it. What should I do?
Keep the invoice and warranty, and complain to the company in writing. You can also register a grievance with the National Consumer Helpline on 1915. If the problem is not resolved, file a complaint before the District Consumer Commission, which can order replacement, refund and compensation.
Can I complain against an online shopping website?
Yes. E-commerce platforms and sellers are covered by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020. You can file the complaint where you live or work, not only where the company is based.
Can I file a consumer complaint for medical negligence?
Yes, where the treatment was paid for. The Supreme Court held that medical services fall within consumer law (Indian Medical Association v. V.P. Shantha, 1995). Medical records are essential, and an expert opinion usually strengthens the case.
Can I get compensation for harassment and mental agony?
Yes. Consumer Commissions can award compensation for loss or injury caused by the deficiency, which can include harassment and mental agony, along with litigation costs, in addition to a refund or replacement.
Do I need a lawyer to file a consumer complaint?
No, consumers can file and argue their own complaints. A lawyer helps with framing the complaint, choosing the right Commission and handling evidence, especially where the amount is large or the opposite party is well represented.
Is there a fee to file?
Under the current rules there is no filing fee for complaints where the value paid is up to ₹5 lakh. Above that, the fee rises in slabs with the value of the claim.
How long do I have to file?
Ordinarily two years from the date the cause of action arose. Delay can be condoned only if you show sufficient cause.
My insurance claim was rejected. Can I go to the Consumer Commission?
Yes. Rejection or unreasonable delay in settling an insurance claim is a common ground for a consumer complaint. The Insurance Ombudsman is another route, depending on the amount and nature of the dispute.
How long does a consumer case take?
The Act sets a target of deciding complaints within three months, or five months where testing of goods is needed, but in practice cases often take longer.
This page gives general information about the law as it stands and is not legal advice. The right course in any matter depends on its facts.
Last updated: September 2026.