Class 10 : Social Science (In English) – Lesson 22. Consumer Rights

EXPLANATION & SUMMARY

🌍 Explanation
🔵 Introduction
🌿 Consumers are the backbone of the market system because goods and services are ultimately produced for them.
⚡ However, they are often exploited through poor-quality products, overcharging, and misleading advertisements.
💡 To safeguard consumers, rights and responsibilities were recognised through movements and laws like the Consumer Protection Act (COPRA).

🟢 Consumer Exploitation
👩‍🦱 Consumers can face:
🌿 Adulteration in food (milk mixed with water).
⚡ Overpricing beyond MRP.
❌ Defective products such as faulty electronics.
💡 False claims through advertisements (e.g., fairness creams).
✔️ Black marketing and underweight goods.

🔴 Rise of Consumer Movement in India
🌿 Started in 1960s as protests against adulteration and hoarding.
⚡ Gained strength during 1970s–80s when awareness increased.
🏛️ COPRA passed in 1986 gave legal rights to consumers, later strengthened in 2019.
💡 Movements encouraged consumers to unite and demand justice.

🟡 Rights of Consumers
Right to Safety
🌿 Protection against hazardous goods and services.
✔️ Example: ISI-certified electrical appliances, helmets.

Right to be Informed
💡 Information on weight, ingredients, expiry, and price must be given.
⚡ Helps prevent cheating.

Right to Choose
🌍 Consumers should have access to different products at competitive prices.
❌ No monopoly or compulsion to buy one brand.

Right to be Heard
🌿 Consumers’ interests must be represented in consumer forums and councils.

Right to Seek Redressal
🧠 Consumers can claim compensation for defective goods.
💡 Redressal includes replacement, refund, or damages.

Right to Consumer Education
🌿 Knowledge about rights, responsibilities, and remedies.
⚡ Promotes awareness through schools, NGOs, and campaigns.

🔵 Duties of Consumers
✔️ Check quality marks: ISI, AGMARK, Hallmark.
🌿 Read labels carefully before purchase.
⚡ Do not be carried away by flashy advertisements.
💡 File complaints in case of cheating.
🧠 Work collectively through consumer forums.

🟢 COPRA and Consumer Courts
🏛️ Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) → three-tier system:
District Commission → up to ₹1 crore claims.
State Commission → up to ₹10 crore claims.
National Commission → above ₹10 crore claims.

🌍 Easy and inexpensive justice system.
💡 No need for lawyer; consumers can directly file complaints.

🔴 Role of NGOs and Consumer Organisations
🌿 Guide consumers on rights and duties.
⚡ Help in filing cases against unfair practices.
💡 Create awareness through campaigns, seminars, and publications.
✔️ Examples: Consumer forums, cooperative groups, Jago Grahak Jago campaign.

🟡 Challenges in Consumer Movement
🌿 Lack of awareness in rural areas.
⚡ Court cases often delayed.
💡 Illiteracy prevents many from asserting rights.
🧠 Need for stronger implementation of laws.

🔵 Conclusion
🌍 Consumer rights empower individuals to fight exploitation.
💡 Awareness and collective action ensure fair trade and justice.
⚡ Active participation by consumers makes the market more transparent and accountable.

📝 Summary
🌿 Consumer exploitation: adulteration, defective goods, overpricing.
⚡ Consumer movement: led to COPRA (1986, updated 2019).
💡 Rights: safety, information, choice, be heard, redressal, education.
🏛️ Redressal system: District, State, National Commissions.
✔️ Duties: check quality marks, be aware, file complaints.
🌍 Awareness: campaigns, NGOs, media, education.

📝 Quick Recap
🔵 COPRA ensures consumer protection.
🟢 Six consumer rights safeguard buyers.
🔴 Consumers must also fulfil duties.
🟡 Awareness campaigns empower society.

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QUESTIONS FROM TEXTBOOK

🔵 Question 1: Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace? Illustrate with a few examples.
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Rules ensure that consumers are not cheated by producers or sellers.
⚡ Without regulation, traders may use false weights, sell adulterated food, or charge more than MRP.
💡 Example: Expired medicines or substandard electrical goods may harm consumers.
✔️ Regulations protect health, safety, and fair trade in markets.

🔵 Question 2: What factors gave birth to the consumer movement in India? Trace its evolution.
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Factors: food adulteration, hoarding, black marketing, and defective goods.
⚡ In the 1960s, protests began as awareness grew.
💡 In the 1970s–80s, consumer organisations became active.
🏛️ The Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) was passed in 1986, later amended in 2019.
✔️ Movement evolved into a strong force with NGOs, campaigns, and legal institutions.

🔵 Question 3: Explain the need for consumer consciousness by giving two examples.
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Consciousness protects consumers from being exploited.
💡 Example 1: Checking ISI mark on electrical appliances ensures safety.
💡 Example 2: Reading expiry date on medicines prevents health hazards.
✔️ Awareness helps consumers demand quality and fair prices.

🔵 Question 4: Mention a few factors which cause exploitation of consumers.
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Lack of consumer awareness and illiteracy.
⚡ Sellers may use unfair trade practices like overpricing and adulteration.
💡 False or misleading advertisements.
✔️ Absence of proper implementation of consumer laws.

🔵 Question 5: What is the rationale behind the enactment of Consumer Protection Act 1986?
🟢 Answer:
🌿 To safeguard consumers from exploitation in markets.
💡 Provide simple, quick, and cheap redressal mechanism.
⚡ Recognise six consumer rights legally.
✔️ Empower consumers to fight against unfair practices.

🔵 Question 6: Describe some of your duties as consumers if you visit a shopping complex in your locality.
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Check ISI, AGMARK, or Hallmark quality marks.
⚡ Demand proper bill for purchases.
💡 Avoid buying defective or expired goods.
✔️ Be alert, aware, and ready to file complaint if cheated.

🔵 Question 7: Suppose you buy a bottle of honey and a biscuit packet. Which logo or mark will you have to look for and why?
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Honey and food products → AGMARK or FSSAI logo ensures quality.
⚡ Biscuit packet → FSSAI mark indicates safety standards.
💡 These marks guarantee purity, hygiene, and consumer safety.

🔵 Question 8: What legal measures were taken by the government to empower the consumers in India?
🟢 Answer:
🏛️ COPRA 1986, revised in 2019, gave consumers legal rights.
🌿 Three-tier redressal system: District, State, and National Commissions.
⚡ Mandatory labelling, MRP, and quality marks (ISI, AGMARK, Hallmark).
💡 Awareness campaigns like Jago Grahak Jago.

🔵 Question 9: Mention some of the rights of consumers and write a few sentences on each.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Right to Safety: Protection from hazardous goods.
🌿 Right to be Informed: Information on ingredients, price, expiry.
💡 Right to Choose: Access to variety of products.
🏛️ Right to be Heard: Representation in forums.
⚡ Right to Seek Redressal: Compensation for defective goods.
🧠 Right to Education: Awareness about rights and duties.

🔵 Question 10: By what means can the consumers express their solidarity?
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Form consumer groups and organisations.
⚡ Take part in awareness campaigns.
💡 File collective complaints against unfair practices.
✔️ Celebrate World Consumer Rights Day and spread awareness.

🔵 Question 11: Critically examine the progress of consumer movement in India.
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Achievements: COPRA Act, redressal commissions, awareness campaigns.
💡 Growth of NGOs and consumer forums.
⚡ Problems: Lack of awareness in rural areas, lengthy legal procedures, weak enforcement.
✔️ Movement successful in spreading awareness but needs stronger implementation.

🔵 Question 12: Match the following.
(i) Availing details of ingredients of a product → (e) Right to information
(ii) Agmark → (c) Certification of edible oil and cereals
(iii) Accident due to faulty engine in a scooter → (a) Right to safety
(iv) District Consumer Commission → (b) Dealing with consumer cases
(v) Food fortification → (g) Addition of key nutrients to staple foods
(vi) Consumers International → (f) Global level institution of consumer welfare organisations
(vii) Bureau of Indian Standards → (d) Agency that develops standards for goods and services

🔵 Question 13: Say True or False.
(i) COPRA applies only to goods. → ❌ False (applies to goods and services).
(ii) India is one of the many countries in the world which has exclusive authorities established for consumer disputes redressal. → ✅ True.
(iii) When a consumer feels exploited, he must file in District Commission. → ✅ True.
(iv) It is worthwhile to move to higher commissions only for high-value damages. → ✅ True.
(v) Hallmark is for jewellery certification. → ✅ True.
(vi) Consumer redressal process is simple and quick. → ❌ False (often delayed).
(vii) A consumer has the right to compensation depending on the degree of damage. → ✅ True.

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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMS

🔵 Question 1: Which of the following is NOT a consumer right?
🟡 Options:
(A) Right to Safety
(B) Right to be Informed
(C) Right to Exploit
(D) Right to Choose
🟢 Answer: (C) Right to Exploit

🔵 Question 2: The Consumer Protection Act was enacted in which year?
🟡 Options:
(A) 1947
(B) 1986
(C) 1991
(D) 2019
🟢 Answer: (B) 1986

🔵 Question 3: Which mark ensures the quality of electrical goods in India?
🟡 Options:
(A) ISI
(B) AGMARK
(C) Hallmark
(D) FSSAI
🟢 Answer: (A) ISI

🔵 Question 4: AGMARK certification is related to:
🟡 Options:
(A) Jewellery
(B) Food products
(C) Electronics
(D) Automobiles
🟢 Answer: (B) Food products

🔵 Question 5: Which logo certifies the purity of gold jewellery?
🟡 Options:
(A) ISI
(B) AGMARK
(C) Hallmark
(D) FPO
🟢 Answer: (C) Hallmark

🔵 Question 6: Which of the following rights ensures consumers are protected from hazardous goods?
🟡 Options:
(A) Right to Choose
(B) Right to Safety
(C) Right to Education
(D) Right to Redressal
🟢 Answer: (B) Right to Safety

🔵 Question 7: Which of the following rights gives consumers the right to be compensated for defective goods?
🟡 Options:
(A) Right to Safety
(B) Right to be Informed
(C) Right to Seek Redressal
(D) Right to Education
🟢 Answer: (C) Right to Seek Redressal

🔵 Question 8: Which organisation runs the “Jago Grahak Jago” campaign?
🟡 Options:
(A) BIS
(B) Ministry of Consumer Affairs
(C) RBI
(D) SEBI
🟢 Answer: (B) Ministry of Consumer Affairs

🔵 Question 9: Which is the first level of consumer dispute redressal under COPRA?
🟡 Options:
(A) State Commission
(B) District Commission
(C) National Commission
(D) Supreme Court
🟢 Answer: (B) District Commission

🔵 Question 10: Which of the following is a consumer duty?
🟡 Options:
(A) Blindly trusting advertisements
(B) Checking ISI/AGMARK/Hallmark
(C) Avoiding bills
(D) Buying expired goods
🟢 Answer: (B) Checking ISI/AGMARK/Hallmark

🔵 Question 11: Which international organisation works for consumer welfare globally?
🟡 Options:
(A) WTO
(B) Consumers International
(C) UNICEF
(D) UNDP
🟢 Answer: (B) Consumers International

🔵 Question 12: Which day is celebrated as World Consumer Rights Day?
🟡 Options:
(A) 5th June
(B) 24th January
(C) 15th March
(D) 26th November
🟢 Answer: (C) 15th March

🔵 Question 13: What does FSSAI mark certify?
🟡 Options:
(A) Food safety and standards
(B) Electrical safety
(C) Jewellery purity
(D) Organic farming
🟢 Answer: (A) Food safety and standards

🔵 Question 14: Who can directly approach a consumer court?
🟡 Options:
(A) Only lawyers
(B) Only government officers
(C) Any consumer
(D) Only traders
🟢 Answer: (C) Any consumer

🔵 Question 15: Which of the following is a legal measure to protect consumers?
🟡 Options:
(A) Advertising
(B) Consumer Protection Act
(C) Barter System
(D) Social Media
🟢 Answer: (B) Consumer Protection Act

🔵 Question 16: Which mark is seen on packaged food items like biscuits and honey?
🟡 Options:
(A) ISI
(B) AGMARK
(C) Hallmark
(D) FSSAI
🟢 Answer: (D) FSSAI

🔵 Question 17: Which is NOT a function of consumer organisations?
🟡 Options:
(A) Filing complaints on behalf of consumers
(B) Creating awareness
(C) Helping in adulteration
(D) Educating consumers
🟢 Answer: (C) Helping in adulteration

🔵 Question 18: The National Consumer Commission deals with cases involving claims above:
🟡 Options:
(A) ₹50 lakh
(B) ₹1 crore
(C) ₹10 crore
(D) ₹100 crore
🟢 Answer: (C) ₹10 crore

🔵 Question 19: Which of the following is NOT an example of consumer exploitation?
🟡 Options:
(A) Sale of adulterated food
(B) Underweight goods
(C) Correct MRP billing
(D) False advertising
🟢 Answer: (C) Correct MRP billing

🔵 Question 20: State two examples of consumer exploitation.
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Selling adulterated food items like milk mixed with water.
⚡ Charging more than MRP on medicines or packaged goods.

🔵 Question 21: Name two quality marks that ensure consumer safety in India.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ ISI mark for electrical goods.
✔️ AGMARK for agricultural products; Hallmark for jewellery.

🔵 Question 22: Why should consumers be aware of their rights?
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Awareness protects them from fraud and exploitation.
⚡ Helps in demanding quality, fair prices, and compensation for defective goods.

🔵 Question 23: Mention two duties of consumers.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Check quality certification marks before purchase.
✔️ Demand bills and receipts for goods and services.

SECTION C — Short Answer (3 marks each; ~60 words)
🔵 Question 24: Explain the right to be informed with one example.
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Right to be informed means consumers must know ingredients, expiry date, weight, and MRP.
💡 Example: A medicine packet must display manufacturing/expiry dates and dosage details.
✔️ This ensures transparency and prevents cheating.

🔵 Question 25: What role do consumer organisations play in protecting rights?
🟢 Answer:
🌿 They create awareness through campaigns.
⚡ Provide legal assistance to cheated consumers.
💡 File collective complaints in consumer courts.
✔️ Act as a bridge between consumers and government.

🔵 Question 26: How does COPRA 1986 empower consumers?
🟢 Answer:
🏛️ Legally recognises six rights of consumers.
⚡ Provides three-tier redressal commissions (District, State, National).
💡 Makes it easy for consumers to claim compensation.
✔️ Promotes fair trade practices and accountability.

🔵 Question 27: Why is consumer awareness more important in the modern market?
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Markets today are flooded with multiple brands and products.
⚡ Misleading advertisements and online frauds are common.
💡 Awareness ensures consumers can make informed choices.

🔵 Question 28: What legal measures ensure consumer protection in India?
🟢 Answer:
🏛️ Consumer Protection Act (COPRA, 1986; amended 2019).
🌿 Mandatory display of MRP and expiry dates.
⚡ Quality marks like ISI, AGMARK, Hallmark, FSSAI.

SECTION D — Long Answer (5 marks each; ~120 words)
🔵 Question 29: Explain the six rights of consumers.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Right to Safety → protection from hazardous goods.
✔️ Right to be Informed → details about product quality and price.
✔️ Right to Choose → access to variety, no monopoly.
✔️ Right to be Heard → representation of consumer voice.
✔️ Right to Seek Redressal → compensation for defective goods.
✔️ Right to Consumer Education → awareness about rights/duties.

🔵 Question 30: Describe the role of “Jago Grahak Jago” campaign.
🟢 Answer:
🌿 A government initiative to spread consumer awareness.
⚡ Uses TV, radio, and newspapers to inform people.
💡 Educates about rights, duties, and legal remedies.
✔️ Has empowered millions to check marks, demand bills, and file complaints.

🔵 Question 31: Critically examine the progress of the consumer movement in India.
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Achievements: COPRA Act, redressal commissions, awareness drives.
💡 Growth of NGOs and consumer forums.
⚡ Problems: rural illiteracy, weak enforcement, court delays.
✔️ Conclusion: progress is significant but more reforms are needed.

🔵 Question 32: Why are consumer forums and NGOs important?
🟢 Answer:
🌿 They guide consumers in filing complaints.
⚡ Provide free legal advice and collective strength.
💡 Spread awareness in villages and cities.
✔️ Work as watchdogs to ensure fair practices.

SECTION E — Case/Source-Based (4 marks each; 1+1+2)
🔵 Question 33 (Case 1):
“A person buys a pressure cooker which bursts during use.”
(i) Which consumer right is violated? (1)
(ii) Which quality mark should have been checked? (1)
(iii) What redressal can the consumer claim? (2)
🟢 Answer:
(i) Right to Safety.
(ii) ISI mark.
(iii) Compensation/replacement from seller through consumer court.

🔵 Question 34 (Case 2):
“A gold chain bought from a jeweller is found impure.”
(i) Which logo ensures purity? (1)
(ii) Which right is violated? (1)
(iii) Suggest a remedy. (2)
🟢 Answer:
(i) Hallmark.
(ii) Right to be Informed.
(iii) File complaint and demand refund/replacement.

🔵 Question 35 (Case 3):
“An advertisement claims a soap removes 100% germs, which is false.”
(i) Which unfair trade practice is this? (1)
(ii) Which right protects consumers? (1)
(iii) What action can be taken? (2)
🟢 Answer:
(i) Misleading advertisement.
(ii) Right to Information.
(iii) Complaint in consumer forum and demand corrective action.

SECTION F — Map/Practical Skill (5 marks)
🔵 Question 36 (a): On an outline map of India, mark two regions where consumer awareness movements are strong.
🟢 Answer:
🌿 Kerala.
🌿 Maharashtra.

🔵 Question 36 (b): Name two international organisations working for consumer protection.
🟢 Answer:
🌍 Consumers International.
🌍 United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP).
For Visually Impaired Candidates:
(i) Kerala and Maharashtra are strong centres of consumer movements in India.
(ii) Consumers International and UNGCP work globally for consumer welfare.

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ONE PAGE REVISION SHEET

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MISCONCEPTIONS “ALERTS”

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MIND MAPS

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