With a strong commitment to consumer prosperity, the Modi Gov has effectively integrated sustainable practices into its consumer protection framework. Let’s discuss on World Consumer Rights Day 2025.
World Consumer Rights Day 2025 serves as a crucial platform to reflect on the progress made in safeguarding consumer interests and ensuring their empowerment. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has undertaken significant policy measures to protect consumers from unfair trade practices, promote sustainability, and foster transparency in digital and traditional markets. With a strong commitment to consumer prosperity, the government has effectively integrated sustainable practices into its consumer protection framework, reinforcing the ethos of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas.’
Advancing Consumer Protection in the Digital Age
The Modi government has consistently prioritized consumer rights, particularly in the rapidly evolving digital economy. Recognizing the complexities and challenges of online transactions, the Consumer Protection E-Commerce Rules, 2020 were introduced to ensure fair trade practices, prevent consumer exploitation, and establish greater accountability for e-commerce platforms. These rules safeguard consumers from misleading advertisements, hidden charges, unfair contracts, and unethical business tactics that have become prevalent in the digital marketplace.
A major concern in modern consumerism is deceptive marketing techniques such as dark patterns and greenwashing. Dark patterns refer to manipulative website or app designs that trick consumers into making unintended choices, such as hidden fees, forced subscriptions, or difficulty in canceling services. Greenwashing, on the other hand, involves false sustainability claims by businesses to mislead environmentally conscious consumers. The Modi government has proactively addressed these issues by issuing strict guidelines to ensure transparency and fair trade, empowering consumers to make informed decisions.
Digital Revolution in Consumer Grievance Redressal
To streamline consumer grievance redressal, the government has launched innovative digital platforms that provide fast and effective solutions. The E-Daakhil portal allows consumers to file complaints online with ease, reducing the need for physical visits to consumer courts. The e-Jagriti initiative further strengthens this framework by enhancing accessibility and efficiency in handling disputes. These initiatives reduce bureaucratic delays, increase transparency, and improve accountability, making justice more accessible to consumers across the country.
Building on these advancements, the upcoming National Consumer Helpline (NCH) 3.0 is set to revolutionize consumer grievance redressal. The current resolution time of 45 days will be significantly reduced to just 7 days, ensuring faster responses and increased consumer confidence. This ambitious reform marks a new benchmark in consumer protection efficiency, reinforcing India’s commitment to a robust and consumer-friendly marketplace.
By integrating technology, policy reforms, and regulatory oversight, the Modi government has positioned India as a global leader in consumer rights protection. These proactive measures not only safeguard consumer interests but also promote ethical business practices, ensuring a fair, transparent, and sustainable digital economy for all.
Sustainability as a Cornerstone of Consumer Welfare
The Modi government has positioned sustainability at the heart of consumer protection, recognizing that environmental responsibility and consumer welfare go hand in hand. By integrating eco-friendly standards, quality control measures, and sustainable consumption practices, the government is ensuring that consumers have access to safe, high-quality, and environmentally responsible products.
Eco-Labelling and Quality Control: Safeguarding Consumer Interests
A key initiative in this direction is the Eco Mark scheme, which promotes sustainable product packaging and safety standards. This program helps consumers identify and choose products that meet environmental and quality benchmarks, encouraging industries to adopt greener production processes.
To further reinforce consumer protection, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued over 180 Quality Control Orders (QCOs) covering 769 products. These mandatory QCOs ensure that industrial, household, and consumer goods meet strict quality and environmental standards, eliminating substandard and hazardous products from the market. Additionally, hallmarking and standardization initiatives in sectors like gold, electronics, and construction materials protect consumers from fraud while promoting resource efficiency.
Mission LiFE: Transforming Consumption Patterns
One of the most visionary steps taken by the Modi government is the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative. This program, championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeks to transform consumer behavior by moving away from a “use-and-dispose” culture to a more sustainable circular economy model.
Under Mission LiFE, citizens are encouraged to adopt mindful consumption habits, such as reducing waste, promoting energy efficiency, and choosing sustainable products. This approach aligns with India’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint while empowering consumers to make eco-conscious choices.
India’s Leadership in Sustainable Consumerism
By integrating sustainability into consumer policies, the Modi government is setting global benchmarks for responsible consumption and production. These measures not only protect consumer interests but also drive India toward a greener economy, ensuring a balance between economic growth and environmental conservation.
With initiatives like eco-labelling, QCOs, and Mission LiFE, India is paving the way for a sustainable future where consumer empowerment and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
Promoting Consumer Awareness and Accountability
Consumer awareness is a cornerstone of consumer protection, ensuring that individuals make informed choices and are not misled by unfair practices. Recognizing this, the Modi government has launched several initiatives to educate and empower consumers while holding businesses accountable for their practices.
‘Jago Grahak Jago’ & The Jagriti Mascot: Strengthening Consumer Education
The ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ campaign has been one of India’s most impactful consumer awareness programs, helping millions understand their rights and responsibilities as consumers. To further enhance its reach, the Jagriti mascot was introduced as a symbol of consumer vigilance, making legal and technical aspects of consumer rights more accessible and relatable to the general public.
Quality Connect Campaign: Raising Standards in Consumer Products
The Quality Connect Campaign (March 1-15, 2025), launched through the Quality Connect app, is a first-of-its-kind initiative that engages government officials and the public to highlight the significance of product standards and quality assurance. This campaign aims to educate consumers about certifications, hallmarking, and quality control standards, encouraging businesses to adhere to national and international quality norms while strengthening trust in the marketplace by promoting standardized and high-quality goods. By making quality assurance a collective effort, this initiative aligns with India’s vision of a consumer-centric and transparent economy.
Tackling Misleading Advertisements & Ensuring Corporate Accountability
The Modi government has taken strict action against deceptive marketing practices, particularly in sectors like education, coaching institutes, and e-commerce. New advertising regulations ensure that misleading claims, such as false job guarantees, exaggerated success rates, or deceptive product benefits, are penalized while holding businesses accountable for the authenticity of their advertisements. These measures protect consumers from fraudulent schemes and unethical promotions, creating a more responsible corporate environment that upholds ethical marketing standards.
Right to Repair: Empowering Consumers & Reducing E-Waste
The Right to Repair initiative is a progressive step toward empowering consumers by giving them access to repair information, spare parts, and affordable services. This initiative helps extend product lifespans, reducing electronic waste and supporting sustainability while also reducing dependency on expensive manufacturer-exclusive repair services. Additionally, it strengthens consumer independence and choice in product maintenance. By promoting repairability and sustainability, this initiative aligns with Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and India’s commitment to responsible consumption.
Through these consumer-centric policies and initiatives, the Modi government is ensuring that awareness, accountability, and sustainability remain at the heart of India’s economic progress. By fostering transparency in business practices, enhancing consumer education, and promoting sustainability, India is creating a marketplace that is fair, ethical, and consumer-friendly.
A Vision for the Future
The government’s proactive approach to consumer welfare underscores a broader vision—to create a just, sustainable, and consumer-friendly economy. By implementing stringent regulations, enhancing digital grievance redressal systems, and promoting sustainability, India is setting an example for the world in consumer rights protection.
As we commemorate World Consumer Rights Day 2025, it is evident that the Modi government has successfully transformed consumer protection from a regulatory obligation into a dynamic movement for sustainable growth and consumer empowerment. Moving forward, continued innovation, stricter enforcement, and active consumer participation will be key in ensuring that India’s consumers are not only protected but also prospering in an evolving economic landscape.
It is refreshing to see such a well articulated Perspective on this important subject.