Chapter II - Consumer Protection Councils
Section 3
Section 3: Central Consumer Protection Council
Section 3 directs the Central Government to establish the Central Consumer Protection Council by notification and specifies its composition.
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Need advice on Section 3?
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, the Central Consumer Protection Council to be known as the Central Council.
(2) The Central Council shall be an advisory council and consist of the following members, namely:— (a) the Minister-in-charge of the Department of Consumer Affairs in the Central Government, who shall be the Chairperson; and (b) such number of other official or non-official members representing such interests as may be prescribed.
Introduction
The Central Council is an advisory body chaired by the Minister in charge of the Department of Consumer Affairs and includes prescribed official or non-official members representing interests.
The Council is distinct from the Central Consumer Protection Authority and the consumer disputes redressal commissions.
Key takeaways
Who and what it covers
The Central Council is an advisory body chaired by the Minister in charge of the Department of Consumer Affairs and includes prescribed official or non-official members representing interests.
Operational step
Identify the relevant Central Council notification and prescribed membership when citing its constitution.
Boundary
The Council is distinct from the Central Consumer Protection Authority and the consumer disputes redressal commissions.
Purpose and trigger
The Central Council is an advisory body chaired by the Minister in charge of the Department of Consumer Affairs and includes prescribed official or non-official members representing interests.
Practical sequence
Identify the relevant Central Council notification and prescribed membership when citing its constitution.
- Identify the relevant Central Council notification and prescribed membership when citing its constitution.
- Route policy input through the Council process rather than treating it as an adjudication.
- For a specific grievance, use the statutory complaint or Commission route that actually grants a remedy.
Limit and related provision
The Council is distinct from the Central Consumer Protection Authority and the consumer disputes redressal commissions.
The text is the central Act. Check current rules, regulations and notifications where the section delegates a detail.
Hypothetical example
An industry association proposes a consumer-awareness initiative to the Central Council; it files an individual refund dispute with the appropriate Commission instead.
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 the relevant Central Council notification and prescribed membership when citing its constitution.
- Route policy input through the Council process rather than treating it as an adjudication.
- For a specific grievance, use the statutory complaint or Commission route that actually grants a remedy.
Avoid
- Do not describe the Central Council as the CCPA or a disputes redressal commission.
- The Council is distinct from the Central Consumer Protection Authority and the consumer disputes redressal commissions.
Illustrative example
Section 3 in practice
An industry association proposes a consumer-awareness initiative to the Central Council; it files an individual refund dispute with the appropriate Commission instead.
Identify the trigger
The Central Council is an advisory body chaired by the Minister in charge of the Department of Consumer Affairs and includes prescribed official or non-official members representing interests.
Gather evidence
Route policy input through the Council process rather than treating it as an adjudication.
Apply the limit
The Council is distinct from the Central Consumer Protection Authority and the consumer disputes redressal commissions.
Outcome
- For a specific grievance, use the statutory complaint or Commission route that actually grants a remedy.
Glossary
- Central Council
- The Central Consumer Protection Council constituted under section 3.
- Advisory Council
- A body constituted to advise on consumer-rights promotion and protection rather than adjudicate claims.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Central Council order a trader to refund a consumer?
Section 3 establishes an advisory Council; it gives no individual refund-order power.
Who chairs the Central Council?
The Minister in charge of the Department of Consumer Affairs in the Central Government.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026