Chapter III - Central Consumer Protection Authority
Section 23
Section 23: Designation of any statutory authority or body to function as Central Authority
Section 23 permits the Central Government to designate another statutory authority or body to exercise CCPA powers and functions.
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Need advice on Section 23?
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
The Central Government may, if it considers necessary, by notification, designate any statutory authority or body to exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Central Authority referred to in section 10.
Introduction
A designation requires a Central Government notification and applies to the powers and functions of the section 10 Authority as the notification provides.
Another regulator’s existence alone is not a section 23 designation.
Key takeaways
Who and what it covers
A designation requires a Central Government notification and applies to the powers and functions of the section 10 Authority as the notification provides.
Operational step
Locate the actual Gazette designation before treating another body as the CCPA.
Boundary
Another regulator’s existence alone is not a section 23 designation.
Purpose and trigger
A designation requires a Central Government notification and applies to the powers and functions of the section 10 Authority as the notification provides.
Practical sequence
Locate the actual Gazette designation before treating another body as the CCPA.
- Locate the actual Gazette designation before treating another body as the CCPA.
- Check which functions and effective date the notification specifies.
- Route responses and appeal analysis according to the designated power exercised.
Limit and related provision
Another regulator’s existence alone is not a section 23 designation.
The text is the central Act. Check current rules, regulations and notifications where the section delegates a detail.
Hypothetical example
A company receives an order from a body said to act as the CCPA. It checks the notification and power cited before preparing its response.
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
- Locate the actual Gazette designation before treating another body as the CCPA.
- Check which functions and effective date the notification specifies.
- Route responses and appeal analysis according to the designated power exercised.
Avoid
- Do not assume an existing regulator has CCPA authority without a Central Government notification.
- Another regulator’s existence alone is not a section 23 designation.
Illustrative example
Section 23 in practice
A company receives an order from a body said to act as the CCPA. It checks the notification and power cited before preparing its response.
Identify the trigger
A designation requires a Central Government notification and applies to the powers and functions of the section 10 Authority as the notification provides.
Gather evidence
Check which functions and effective date the notification specifies.
Apply the limit
Another regulator’s existence alone is not a section 23 designation.
Outcome
- Route responses and appeal analysis according to the designated power exercised.
Glossary
- Designation
- A Gazette notification assigning section 10 Authority powers and functions to another statutory body.
- Statutory body
- An authority or body established by statute and capable of designation under section 23.
Frequently asked questions
Can any existing regulator act as the CCPA automatically?
No. Section 23 requires the Central Government to designate the statutory authority or body by notification.
What may a designated body exercise?
The powers and functions of the section 10 Central Authority, as conferred by the notification under section 23.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026