25 worked answers · short steps first, explanations when you need them
Questions and activities
Textbook pages 86–87
Question 1
Choose a commodity and draft a consumer-awareness poster showing what a buyer should check.
Steps only
Sample poster—“Check before you buy”: compare price, read ingredients and instructions, check net quantity, manufacturing and expiry dates, look for the required safety or quality mark, ask for a bill and keep it.
Answer
Sample poster—“Check before you buy”: compare price, read ingredients and instructions, check net quantity, manufacturing and expiry dates, look for the required safety or quality mark, ask for a bill and keep it. Do not use a certification logo unless the product is actually certified.
Question 2
Find the nearest Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission for your area.
Steps only
Use the current official Department of Consumer Affairs or e-Jagriti/consumer commission directory to find the correct district commission.
Answer
Use the current official Department of Consumer Affairs or e-Jagriti/consumer commission directory to find the correct district commission. Record its name, address and official contact details, and confirm them before visiting because offices and filing procedures can change.
Question 3
What is the difference between a consumer protection council and a Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission?
Steps only
A consumer protection council promotes and advises on consumer rights.
Answer
A consumer protection council promotes and advises on consumer rights. A Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission is a quasi-judicial body that hears consumer complaints and can order remedies under the law. The first focuses on awareness and policy advice; the second decides disputes.
Question 4
Classify each case by the consumer right involved: (a) electric iron gives a shock (b) poor phone service complaint (c) expired medicine (d) checking package details (e) no alternative cable provider (f) persistent complaint about a defective camera.
Steps only
(a) Right to safety and redressal.
Answer
(a) Right to safety and redressal. (b) Right to be heard and seek redressal. (c) Right to safety and redressal. (d) Right to information. (e) Right to choose. (f) Right to be heard and seek redressal. More than one right may apply in a case.
Question 5
If standardisation can assure quality, why are many market goods sold without ISI or Agmark certification?
Steps only
Certification is not compulsory for every product.
Answer
Certification is not compulsory for every product. Some goods may be sold without a voluntary mark, while products covered by mandatory quality-control rules must meet the required certification. Buyers should check the product category and applicable rules.
Question 6
Who provides Hallmark and ISO certification?
Steps only
In India, BIS administers hallmarking for covered precious-metal articles through recognised assaying and hallmarking centres.
Answer
In India, BIS administers hallmarking for covered precious-metal articles through recognised assaying and hallmarking centres. ISO develops international standards but does not certify companies; independent certification bodies issue certificates against relevant standards. Verify a mark with the issuing authority.
Exercises
Textbook pages 87–88
Question 1
Why are rules and regulations needed in markets? Give examples.
Steps only
Rules protect buyers from unsafe products, false claims, short weights and hidden charges.
Answer
Rules protect buyers from unsafe products, false claims, short weights and hidden charges. For example, food labelling rules help buyers check ingredients and expiry dates, and weights-and-measures rules help ensure the quantity sold matches the price.
Question 2
What gave rise to the consumer movement in India? Trace its development.
Steps only
Consumers organised because of adulteration, unfair prices, poor quality, short weights and weak complaint systems.
Answer
Consumers organised because of adulteration, unfair prices, poor quality, short weights and weak complaint systems. Consumer groups campaigned for fair treatment and stronger laws. The Consumer Protection Act 1986 created a formal redressal system; later reforms strengthened consumer institutions. The current framework is the Consumer Protection Act 2019, so the 1986 Act in the question is historical.
Question 3
Why is consumer awareness necessary? Give two examples.
Steps only
Awareness helps people make informed choices and seek remedies.
Answer
Awareness helps people make informed choices and seek remedies. A buyer who checks a medicine’s expiry date can avoid an unsafe product. A buyer who keeps a bill can provide evidence when asking for repair, replacement or compensation.
Question 4
Mention factors that lead to consumer exploitation.
Steps only
Consumers may be exploited through adulterated or defective goods, false advertising, short weights, hidden fees, unsafe products, poor service and lack of choice.
Answer
Consumers may be exploited through adulterated or defective goods, false advertising, short weights, hidden fees, unsafe products, poor service and lack of choice. Unequal information and weak bargaining power make it harder for individual buyers to challenge powerful sellers.
Question 5
Why was the Consumer Protection Act 1986 enacted?
Steps only
The 1986 Act was enacted to recognise consumer rights and provide a system for resolving complaints about defective goods and deficient services.
Answer
The 1986 Act was enacted to recognise consumer rights and provide a system for resolving complaints about defective goods and deficient services. It established consumer redressal forums. This is a historical textbook question: the current central law is the Consumer Protection Act 2019.
Question 6
Describe some duties you should follow when shopping.
Steps only
Check price, quantity, ingredients, safety marks and expiry dates; compare products; ask for a bill; read warranty terms; use goods safely; and complain with evidence if something is wrong.
Answer
Check price, quantity, ingredients, safety marks and expiry dates; compare products; ask for a bill; read warranty terms; use goods safely; and complain with evidence if something is wrong. Be fair and give sellers a chance to address a genuine problem.
Question 7
If you buy honey and biscuits, what mark or logo should you look for and why?
Steps only
Check the FSSAI licence and food-label details on both packaged foods.
Answer
Check the FSSAI licence and food-label details on both packaged foods. For honey, an Agmark grade may also indicate a quality standard where applicable. Check ingredients, net quantity, batch number, expiry or best-before date and seller details. Marks and legal requirements depend on the product category.
Question 8
What legal measures have been taken to empower consumers in India?
Steps only
The Consumer Protection Act 2019 provides consumer rights, consumer commissions and the Central Consumer Protection Authority, and covers e-commerce.
Answer
The Consumer Protection Act 2019 provides consumer rights, consumer commissions and the Central Consumer Protection Authority, and covers e-commerce. Rules also address mediation and online trade. Keep a bill and use the current official complaint route; procedures and commission jurisdiction can change.
Question 9
Name important consumer rights and explain each briefly.
Steps only
Key rights include safety from hazardous goods; information about quality, quantity, price and ingredients; choice among products; being heard; seeking redressal for unfair treatment; and consumer education.
Answer
Key rights include safety from hazardous goods; information about quality, quantity, price and ingredients; choice among products; being heard; seeking redressal for unfair treatment; and consumer education. These rights help buyers make informed decisions and obtain remedies.
Question 10
How can consumers show solidarity?
Steps only
Consumers can join or support consumer groups, share reliable information, report unfair practices, make collective complaints and participate in awareness campaigns.
Answer
Consumers can join or support consumer groups, share reliable information, report unfair practices, make collective complaints and participate in awareness campaigns. Acting together can help address problems that one buyer cannot solve alone.
Question 11
Critically assess the progress of the consumer movement in India.
Steps only
The movement has increased awareness, created organised groups and established legal routes for complaints.
Answer
The movement has increased awareness, created organised groups and established legal routes for complaints. Consumer law now covers online purchases and provides commissions and other institutions. However, many people still lack information; cases can take time and money; and rules are not always followed. Stronger awareness, accessible complaint systems and fair enforcement are still needed.
Question 12
Match: (i) ingredients information (ii) Agmark (iii) accident from faulty scooter engine (iv) District Commission (v) food fortification (vi) Consumers International (vii) Bureau of Indian Standards.
Steps only
(i) Right to information—(e); (ii) certification of edible oil and cereals—(c); (iii) right to safety—(a); (iv) dealing with consumer cases—(b); (v) adding nutrients to staple foods—(g); (vi) global institution of consumer organisations—(f); (vii) agency that develops standards—(d).
Answer
(i) Right to information—(e);
(ii) certification of edible oil and cereals—(c);
(iii) right to safety—(a);
(iv) dealing with consumer cases—(b);
(v) adding nutrients to staple foods—(g);
(vi) global institution of consumer organisations—(f);
(vii) agency that develops standards—(d).
Question 13
Say true or false: (i) COPRA applies only to goods (ii) India has consumer dispute authorities (iii) every complaint must be filed at district level (iv) commissions are useful only for high-value losses (v) Hallmark standardises jewellery purity (vi) redressal is always simple and quick (vii) compensation can depend on harm.
(iii) False—the correct commission depends on current jurisdiction rules and the complaint.
(iv) False—consumers can seek remedies for eligible claims of different values.
(v) True—Hallmark indicates precious-metal purity or fineness.
(vi) False—cases can be slow or difficult.
(vii) True—remedies may reflect the loss or harm. The Act’s name and procedures have changed since the textbook’s 1986 reference.
Additional projects and activities
Textbook pages 89
Question 1
Draft a poster listing consumer rights for a school awareness week.
Steps only
Include safety, information, choice, being heard, redressal and consumer education.
Answer
Include safety, information, choice, being heard, redressal and consumer education. Add one practical action under each right, such as “keep your bill” or “check the expiry date.”
Question 2
Write a letter for Mrs Krishna, whose television stopped working within its six-month warranty and the seller has stopped replying.
Steps only
Address the Pune District Consumer Commission, describe the warranty problem and state the remedy requested.
Answer
The fictional example asks for a remedy for a television that failed during its warranty. A real complaint must use accurate details and the current process.
Question 3
Plan a consumer club and mock awareness workshops at school.
Steps only
Form a student group, choose a teacher adviser, set a goal and review school-shop practices such as displayed prices, bills and expiry dates.
Answer
Form a student group, choose a teacher adviser, set a goal and review school-shop practices such as displayed prices, bills and expiry dates. Record observations respectfully, discuss possible improvements with staff and share accurate information.
Question 4
Create a consumer-rights slogan and complete “Arise, awake and stop not till ___.”
Steps only
Possible completion: “every consumer knows their rights.” Other original slogans: “Read the label, keep the bill”; “Know the price, check the size”; “Safe choices start with clear information.”.
Answer
Possible completion: “every consumer knows their rights.” Other original slogans: “Read the label, keep the bill”; “Know the price, check the size”; “Safe choices start with clear information.”
Question 5
Interview four or five neighbours about consumer exploitation and responses.
Steps only
Ask whether anyone faced a defective product, misleading claim, short weight or poor service; what evidence they kept; whom they contacted; and what happened.
Answer
Ask whether anyone faced a defective product, misleading claim, short weight or poor service; what evidence they kept; whom they contacted; and what happened. Get permission, avoid sharing names without consent, and summarise common patterns without inventing answers.
Question 6
Conduct a local survey about consumer awareness using the textbook questionnaire.
Steps only
Ask participants whether they keep bills, check expiry dates and quality marks, compare prices, question incorrect weights and complain about defects.
Answer
Ask participants whether they keep bills, check expiry dates and quality marks, compare prices, question incorrect weights and complain about defects. Let them choose “always,” “sometimes” or “never.” Report totals without identifying individuals. Use the questionnaire as reflection, not as a scientific score or judgment of a person.