Chapter III - Central Consumer Protection Authority
Section 10
Section 10: Establishment of Central Consumer Protection Authority
Section 10 establishes the Central Consumer Protection Authority to address consumer-rights violations, unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements prejudicial to consumers or the public.
On this page
Need advice on Section 10?
This article is for general information. Refer to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
(1) The Central Government shall, by notification, establish with effect from such date as it may specify in that notification, a Central Consumer Protection Authority to be known as the Central Authority to regulate matters relating to violation of rights of consumers, unfair trade practices and false or misleading advertisements which are prejudicial to the interests of public and consumers and to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers as a class.
(2) The Central Authority shall consist of a Chief Commissioner and such number of other Commissioners as may be prescribed, to be appointed by the Central Government to exercise the powers and discharge the functions under this Act.
(3) The headquarters of the Central Authority shall be at such place in the National Capital Region of Delhi, and it shall have regional and other offices in any other place in India as the Central Government may decide.
Introduction
The Central Government establishes the Authority by notification. A Chief Commissioner and prescribed number of Commissioners form it, with a New Delhi headquarters and other offices as decided.
The Authority’s public-interest jurisdiction differs from an individual Commission complaint for private relief.
Key takeaways
Who and what it covers
The Central Government establishes the Authority by notification. A Chief Commissioner and prescribed number of Commissioners form it, with a New Delhi headquarters and other offices as decided.
Operational step
Identify whether a communication came from the CCPA or a regional office exercising delegated powers.
Boundary
The Authority’s public-interest jurisdiction differs from an individual Commission complaint for private relief.
Purpose and trigger
The Central Government establishes the Authority by notification. A Chief Commissioner and prescribed number of Commissioners form it, with a New Delhi headquarters and other offices as decided.
Practical sequence
Identify whether a communication came from the CCPA or a regional office exercising delegated powers.
- Identify whether a communication came from the CCPA or a regional office exercising delegated powers.
- Classify the alleged public or consumer-interest harm against the Authority’s statutory purpose.
- Track the later inquiry, direction and appeal provisions before deciding a response.
Limit and related provision
The Authority’s public-interest jurisdiction differs from an individual Commission complaint for private relief.
The text is the central Act. Check current rules, regulations and notifications where the section delegates a detail.
Hypothetical example
A national ad campaign attracts a CCPA inquiry; the advertiser preserves substantiation and correspondence for the statutory process.
Primary sources
The statutory wording is drawn from the official central Act and checked against the India Code consolidation. The commencement notice identifies when this provision took effect.
Practical checklist
Do
- Identify whether a communication came from the CCPA or a regional office exercising delegated powers.
- Classify the alleged public or consumer-interest harm against the Authority’s statutory purpose.
- Track the later inquiry, direction and appeal provisions before deciding a response.
Avoid
- Do not treat a general consumer grievance as automatically within a section 10 public-interest CCPA action.
- The Authority’s public-interest jurisdiction differs from an individual Commission complaint for private relief.
Illustrative example
Section 10 in practice
A national ad campaign attracts a CCPA inquiry; the advertiser preserves substantiation and correspondence for the statutory process.
Identify the trigger
The Central Government establishes the Authority by notification. A Chief Commissioner and prescribed number of Commissioners form it, with a New Delhi headquarters and other offices as decided.
Gather evidence
Classify the alleged public or consumer-interest harm against the Authority’s statutory purpose.
Apply the limit
The Authority’s public-interest jurisdiction differs from an individual Commission complaint for private relief.
Outcome
- Track the later inquiry, direction and appeal provisions before deciding a response.
Glossary
- Central Authority
- The Central Consumer Protection Authority established under section 10.
- Consumers as a class
- Consumers collectively affected by conduct within the Central Authority’s section 10 purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CCPA the same as the National Commission?
No. Section 10 establishes the Central Authority; Chapter IV establishes the dispute-redressal commissions.
Where is the Central Authority’s head office?
Section 10 places it in the National Capital Region of Delhi, with other offices as the Central Government decides.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026