News for 'Central Consumer Protection Authority'

How Airlines Quietly Pick Passengers' Pockets

How Airlines Quietly Pick Passengers' Pockets

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Passengers may think they are just booking a ticket, but airlines' clever design tricks are quietly picking their pockets.

Consumer protection agency sends notice to Ola, Uber

Consumer protection agency sends notice to Ola, Uber

Rediff.com21 May 2022

CCPA said the primary issues raised in the notices included 'deficiency in service'. This includes lack of proper response from customer support, driver refusing to take payment by online mode and insisting for cash only.

26 e-com players say they are free from dark patterns: Govt

26 e-com players say they are free from dark patterns: Govt

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

As many as 26 top e-commerce companies, including Zepto, BigBasket and Zomato, have given an undertaking that their platforms are free from misleading claims and unfair trade practices which constitute 'dark patterns', the government said on Thursday.

Govt working on new consumer protection law to tackle misleading ads: PM

Govt working on new consumer protection law to tackle misleading ads: PM

Rediff.com26 Oct 2017

The government is coming up with this new law, replacing the Consumer Protection Act 1986, which will incorporate the revised 2015 UN guidelines on consumer protection.

Lessons To Learn From The Tatas

Lessons To Learn From The Tatas

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Usually, in the western view, corporate success is attributed to efficiency, organisational structure, and scale. R Gopalakrishnan and Harish Bhat argue that philosophy, culture, and the transmission of values are more important for sustaining growth and profitability of an enterprise over a period of time.

Probe ordered over deficiencies in services & e-2W of Ola Electric

Probe ordered over deficiencies in services & e-2W of Ola Electric

Rediff.com14 Nov 2024

Consumer rights regulator CCPA has ordered a detailed probe into complaints related to alleged "deficiencies" in services and electric two-wheelers manufactured by Ola Electric. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) headed by Nidhi Khare has directed the Director General (Investigation), who is also head of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), to investigate this matter.

FSSAI sets expiry timelines for food items sold on ecom, qcom

FSSAI sets expiry timelines for food items sold on ecom, qcom

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Tuesday asked e-commerce and quick-commerce food operators to ensure a minimum shelf life of 30 per cent or at least 45 days before products expire at the time of delivery. The order follows rising concerns over violations of food safety standards in quick-commerce and e-commerce.

Govt To Target Coaching Centres

Govt To Target Coaching Centres

Rediff.com23 Jun 2025

The panel will examine the reasons behind the emergence of dummy schools and their role in encouraging full-time coaching at the cost of formal schooling, and will suggest ways to mitigate the issue.

Govt tells e-com firms to audit dark patterns, submit yearly reports

Govt tells e-com firms to audit dark patterns, submit yearly reports

Rediff.com30 May 2025

The government on Wednesday asked e-commerce platforms to conduct annual internal audits to make sure that they are not resorting to manipulative tactics to mislead consumers and prevent them from making right choices -- a technique commonly referred to as dark pattern -- and submit reports to the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA). It comes just a week after Uber was issued a notice by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) over its "advance tip" feature.

With firefighting behind them, insurers can now shift gears and focus on growth

With firefighting behind them, insurers can now shift gears and focus on growth

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

Recent years have been turbulent for the insurance industry due to direct and indirect tax reforms, regulatory overhaul and other external pressures. The events cumulatively slowed growth rate to single digits from the high teens seen earlier.

How To Buy Gold Wisely In 2026

How To Buy Gold Wisely In 2026

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

From Rs 73k to over Rs 1.2L between January-December 2025 -- is buying gold in 2026 still sensible?

WHO issues alert against Indian cough syrups. They are...

WHO issues alert against Indian cough syrups. They are...

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued an alert against three "substandard" oral cough syrups identified in India and urged national regulatory authorities worldwide to immediately notify it if these are detected in their country.

Restaurants can't levy mandatory service charge on food bills: HC

Restaurants can't levy mandatory service charge on food bills: HC

Rediff.com29 Mar 2025

The court upheld the guidelines and imposed Rs 1 lakh cost each on the petitioners to be deposited with the CCPA towards consumer welfare.

Why Sebi warned Ola Electric

Why Sebi warned Ola Electric

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

Market regulator Sebi has warned Ola Electric Mobility for violating listing norms by sharing store expansion plans on social media before informing stock exchanges, according to a regulatory filing by the company. In a letter to the company by Sebi, shared on BSE by Ola Electric Mobility, the market regulator took exception to the dissemination of information regarding plans for a four-fold expansion of the company-owned store network by December 20, 2024.

Prescriptions a must to buy ayurveda drugs online, says consumer body

Prescriptions a must to buy ayurveda drugs online, says consumer body

Rediff.com14 Jul 2022

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Thursday directed e-commerce entities to sell specified ayurveda, siddha and unani drugs only after customers upload valid medical prescriptions from registered doctors on the platforms.

Complaint filed against Flipkart, Bachchan for 'misleading' ad

Complaint filed against Flipkart, Bachchan for 'misleading' ad

Rediff.com3 Oct 2023

Traders' body CAIT has filed a complaint with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs against a Flipkart advertisement featuring Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan on the upcoming Big Billion Days sale, terming the advertisement as "misleading". The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) in its complaint to the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) termed the advertisement "misleading" and against the country's small retailers. It has also sought withdrawal of the advertisement, according to a statement. CAIT demanded that a penalty be imposed on Flipkart as per relevant provisions of the Consumer Protection Act for "false or misleading advertisement" and imposition of a Rs 10 lakh fine on Bachchan.

Challenges Before The New Data Law

Challenges Before The New Data Law

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

DPDP Act (2023) gives individuals the right to decide how their personal data is collected and used. For many businesses, this means reworking longstanding data practices, notes Ravi Duvvuru.

Ola Electric Hits Speed Bumps On Road to Future

Ola Electric Hits Speed Bumps On Road to Future

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

Clearly, some of the bullishness of the early days has gone missing. Ola's market share is slipping amid rising competition from incumbents like Bajaj Auto and TVS.

Online Shoppers, Please Read This!

Online Shoppers, Please Read This!

Rediff.com13 Dec 2023

An online company would show a particular price to the customer and then quickly increase the cost after analysing consumer behaviour or detecting any kind of desperation.

Why implementing stricter e-com rules won't be easy

Why implementing stricter e-com rules won't be easy

Rediff.com22 Sep 2021

There is a significant difference of opinion within the government on the draft e-commerce rules put out by the consumer affairs ministry, a top government official said on Wednesday and flagged concerns that continuous change of the policy causes a great deal of uncertainty. The official said that unnecessary fear is created that the government's current e-commerce policy is hurting small traders. "There is a significant difference of opinion within the government on the draft Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules put out by the consumer affairs ministry... Continuous change of the policy causes a great deal of uncertainty," the official said on the condition of anonymity.

SC relaxes norms for appointing consumer court presidents, members

SC relaxes norms for appointing consumer court presidents, members

Rediff.com4 Mar 2023

The Supreme Court on Friday said lawyers and professionals with 10 years of experience will be eligible for appointment as president and member of the state consumer commission and district forums.

Amazon fined for selling sub-standard pressure cookers

Amazon fined for selling sub-standard pressure cookers

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh on e-commerce major Amazon for selling pressure cookers that did not meet quality standards. The CCPA also directed Amazon to notify the consumers of all these 2,265 pressure cookers sold through its platform, recall the products and reimburse the prices to buyers, the Department of Consumer Affairs said in a statement.

Sensex rides on bluechip stocks; rises 585 points

Sensex rides on bluechip stocks; rises 585 points

Rediff.com8 Oct 2024

From the Sensex pack, Adani Ports & Special Economic Zones, Mahindra & Mahindra, Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, Larsen & Toubro, NTPC, State Bank of India, UltraTech Cement and Kotak Mahindra Bank were the major gainers. In contrast, Tata Steel, Titan, Bajaj Finserv, JSW Steel, Bajaj Finance, Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Tata Motors and Tata Consultancy Services were among the laggards.

The wake-up call that every consumer needs

The wake-up call that every consumer needs

Rediff.com23 Nov 2017

Pending consumer dispute cases are at an all-time high.

Lab Or Natural? What Diamond Would You Prefer?

Lab Or Natural? What Diamond Would You Prefer?

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

Suddenly, the legendary advertising line -- a diamond is forever -- is losing its shine.

Delhi HC stays guidelines prohibiting service charges

Delhi HC stays guidelines prohibiting service charges

Rediff.com20 Jul 2022

The Delhi high court on Wednesday stayed the recent guidelines prohibiting hotels and restaurants from levying service charge automatically on food bills. Justice Yashwant Varma, while dealing with petitions by the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) and Federation of Hotels and Restaurant Associations of India challenging the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)'s July 4 guidelines, said the issue requires consideration and directed the authorities to file their reply. "The matter requires consideration. Consequently, until the next date of listing the directions as contained in para 7 of the impugned guideline of July 4, 2022 shall remain stayed," the court ordered.

Waiting for refunds of air tickets booked during lockdown? Good news soon

Waiting for refunds of air tickets booked during lockdown? Good news soon

Rediff.com8 Nov 2023

The government on Wednesday directed online travel aggregators to process pending refunds related to air ticket bookings during the coronavirus lockdown period by the third week of November. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, there was a nationwide lockdown for varying periods starting from March 25, 2020, and scheduled commercial flight services were also suspended for a certain period. On Wednesday, the consumer affairs ministry held a meeting with online travel aggregators to discuss issues prejudicial to consumer interest in the travel sector.

Events that shaped Indian businesses in 2024

Events that shaped Indian businesses in 2024

Rediff.com1 Jan 2025

Unprecedented bribery charges, farewells, separation, failed union, monumental mergers and record-breaking IPOs, along with a healthy dose of online happenings in the form of spat and lessons in customer care, corporate India saw it all in 2024.

Wings clipped, ad body looks at a 'co-regulating' role with govt

Wings clipped, ad body looks at a 'co-regulating' role with govt

Rediff.com2 Sep 2020

Newly formed CCPA will now regulate false and misleading advertising and also take action to punish offenders, whether through fines, discontinuance, alteration of the ad, or even jail. ASCI as a voluntary, self-regulatory body, had no legal powers to enforce its actions.

Social media influencers can be penalised for Rs 10 lakh

Social media influencers can be penalised for Rs 10 lakh

Rediff.com20 Jan 2023

The government on Friday made it mandatory for social media influencers to disclose their "material" interest in endorsing products and services and violations can attract strict legal action, including ban on endorsements. The regulations are part of continuing efforts to curb misleading advertisements as well protect the interests of consumers amid the expanding social influencer market which is projected to be worth around Rs 2,800 crore by 2025. The new guidelines named 'Endorsement Know Hows -- for celebrities, influencers and virtual media influencers (Avatar or computer generated character) on social media platforms' has been issued by the Department of Consumers Affairs.

7 in every 10 Indians likely to buy a product endorsed by an influencer

7 in every 10 Indians likely to buy a product endorsed by an influencer

Rediff.com17 Feb 2023

Showing the power social media influencers hold in the advertising industry today, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) on Thursday said 70 per cent of Indians are likely to buy a product they endorse. In its "Influencer Trust Report," based on a survey of 820 respondents above 18, ASCI said that 79 per cent of respondents trust social media influencers. Out of these, thirty per cent trust the influencers "completely".

Govt not to seek disclosure of flash sales from e-tailers

Govt not to seek disclosure of flash sales from e-tailers

Rediff.com22 Jun 2021

The Centre on Tuesday said it will not seek disclosure of flash sales from e-commerce players to regulate the fraudulent sale of goods and services but will take appropriate action as per the law on consumer complaints. Discount sales that benefit maximum to consumers will continue, but not fraudulent flash sales on the e-commerce platforms, the government said, adding that the e-tailers need not be "anxious" about the draft rules. Ban on fraudulent flash sales, mis-selling and appointment of chief compliance officer/grievance redressal officer -- are among key amendments proposed to the Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules, 2020, on which the government has sought public comments by July 6.

Obtaining justice via consumer courts is difficult

Obtaining justice via consumer courts is difficult

Rediff.com27 Apr 2018

'Some cases do not get a single hearing for 6 to 8 months, while some have been pending for as long as 8 years.'

After Amazon, Flipkart fined for allowing sale of poor quality cookers

After Amazon, Flipkart fined for allowing sale of poor quality cookers

Rediff.com18 Aug 2022

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Wednesday said it has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh on e-commerce firm Flipkart for allowing sale of substandard domestic pressure cookers on its platform, in violation of mandatory standards. Headed by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare, the CCPA has directed Flipkart to recall all such 598 pressure cookers sold on its platform, reimburse their buyers, and submit a compliance report within 45 days. The central government routinely notifies the Quality Control Orders (QCOs), specifying compulsory conformity to a standard and use of the standard mark for a product to protect consumers from the risk of suffering injury and harm and in the interest of the public at large.

Amazon, Flipkart, 3 others issued notices for selling faulty pressure cookers

Amazon, Flipkart, 3 others issued notices for selling faulty pressure cookers

Rediff.com22 Nov 2021

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to five e-commerce entities, including Amazon, Flipkart and PaytmMall, as well as various sellers for offering pressure cookers that are non-compliant with BIS norms. The notices were issued on November 18 to Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal, Shopclues and PaytmMall, and the sellers. As part of celebrations of 75 years of Independence - 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', CCPA has initiated a country-wide campaign to prevent sale of spurious and counterfeit goods that violate Quality Control Orders published by the Centre, the government said in a statement on Monday.

Thousands of toys from Hamleys, Archies fail quality test

Thousands of toys from Hamleys, Archies fail quality test

Rediff.com12 Jan 2023

The government on Thursday said 18,600 toys have been seized in the last one month from major retail stores, including those of Hamleys and Archies, at airports and malls across India for lack of BIS quality mark and use of fake licences. Meanwhile, consumer protection regulator CCPA has also issued notices to three major e-commerce players -- Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal -- for alleged violation of toys quality control order, it said. Since January 1, 2021, the government has made it mandatory for toys to conform with safety norms specified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), a national standard setting body.

SC expands Patanjali misleading ads hearing to include FMCG companies

SC expands Patanjali misleading ads hearing to include FMCG companies

Rediff.com23 Apr 2024

Expanding the scope of its hearing in the Patanjali Ayurved case, the Supreme Court on Tuesday took a stern view of misleading advertisements by Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) firms and asked three Union ministries to inform it about the steps they have taken to curb the practice which takes 'public for a ride' and adversely affects their health.

GST Gamed For Rs 81,875 cr, Finds Report

GST Gamed For Rs 81,875 cr, Finds Report

Rediff.com16 Sep 2024

The highest-ever goods and services tax (GST) evasion has been done by the online money gaming industry.

What's Greenwashing?

What's Greenwashing?

Rediff.com21 Apr 2023

Greenwashing is making misleading or false environment-friendly claims about a product. Consumers in India currently do not have any way of telling whether a claim is authentic or greenwashing. And one never hears of action against any company for making false claims of being environment-friendly.