Chapter IV - Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Section 57
Section 57: Other officers and employees of National Commission
Section 57 deals with staff support for the National Commission and the President’s general superintendence over those officers and employees.
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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 provide, in consultation with the President of the National Commission, such number of officers and other employees to assist the National Commission in the discharge of its functions as it may think fit.
(2) The officers and other employees of the National Commission shall discharge their functions under the general superintendence of the President of the National Commission.
(3) The salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the officers and other employees of the National Commission shall be such as may be prescribed.
Introduction
A business submitting papers should use the Commission’s established filing and registry channels; staff assist the institution but do not replace the Bench’s decision.
Key takeaways
What the section does
Section 57 deals with staff support for the National Commission and the President’s general superintendence over those officers and employees.
Operational response
A business submitting papers should use the Commission’s established filing and registry channels; staff assist the institution but do not replace the Bench’s decision.
Important boundary
The Central Government provides staffing in consultation with the President and prescribes service conditions. The provision does not create an independent adjudicatory power for registry staff.
When the provision matters
Section 57 deals with staff support for the National Commission and the President’s general superintendence over those officers and employees.
The Central Government provides staffing in consultation with the President and prescribes service conditions. The provision does not create an independent adjudicatory power for registry staff.
Practical response
A business submitting papers should use the Commission’s established filing and registry channels; staff assist the institution but do not replace the Bench’s decision.
Decision points and records
Address a disputed procedural request through the Commission record and the authorised decision-maker.
Do not ask registry staff to decide a substantive defence or grant relief outside their functions.
Example
A respondent sends its written response through the National Commission filing process and seeks a Bench order if a disputed deadline needs extension.
Official sources
Practical checklist
Do
- Track registry directions separately from judicial orders.
- Address a disputed procedural request through the Commission record and the authorised decision-maker.
Avoid
- Do not treat an informal staff communication as a final order on a complaint.
- Do not ask registry staff to decide a substantive defence or grant relief outside their functions.
Illustrative example
Section 57 in practice
A respondent sends its written response through the National Commission filing process and seeks a Bench order if a disputed deadline needs extension.
Identify the statutory trigger
Section 57 deals with staff support for the National Commission and the President’s general superintendence over those officers and employees.
Preserve the key record
Address a disputed procedural request through the Commission record and the authorised decision-maker.
Apply the limit
The Central Government provides staffing in consultation with the President and prescribes service conditions. The provision does not create an independent adjudicatory power for registry staff.
Outcome
- A business submitting papers should use the Commission’s established filing and registry channels; staff assist the institution but do not replace the Bench’s decision.
Glossary
- National Commission
- The national consumer dispute redressal forum under Chapter IV of the Act.
- General superintendence
- The President’s overall supervision of National Commission officers and employees as they perform support functions.
Frequently asked questions
Who provides officers and employees to the National Commission?
The Central Government provides them in consultation with the President; they work under the President’s general superintendence.
Who prescribes staff service terms?
The applicable rule-making authority prescribes salaries, allowances and other service conditions under subsection (3).
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026