The original Consumer Protection Act of India was enacted in:

The Consumer Protection Act was enacted by Parliament in 1986 to protect the interests of consumers and to set up quasi-judicial bodies for the speedy redressal of their complaints.

National Consumer Day:

• The Act received the President's assent on 24 December 1986.
• This day is observed every year as National Consumer Day in India.

World Consumer Rights Day is observed on 15 March, the date in 1962 when US President John F. Kennedy spoke of consumer rights in the US Congress.

Rights of consumers under the Act:

• Right to safety against hazardous goods and services.
• Right to be informed about the quality, quantity, purity, standard and price of goods.
• Right to choose from a variety of goods at competitive prices.
• Right to be heard in appropriate forums.
• Right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices.
• Right to consumer education.

Three-tier redressal system:

• District Consumer Forums at the district level.
• State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions at the state level.
• The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) in New Delhi at the national level.

Consumer Protection Act, 2019:

The 1986 Act was replaced by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which came into force in July 2020.

Main changes:

It set up a Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to regulate unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements and violations of consumer rights. The CCPA can order recalls and impose penalties.

It introduced the concept of product liability, making manufacturers and sellers liable for harm caused by defective products.

It covers e-commerce and direct selling.

It allows complaints to be filed electronically and from the consumer's place of residence.

It renamed the District Forums as District Commissions and revised their pecuniary limits.

It provides for mediation as an alternative way of settling disputes.

Other related measures:

• The "Jago Grahak Jago" campaign is run by the government to spread consumer awareness.
• The National Consumer Helpline gives guidance to consumers.

Why not the other options?

• ✗1976, 1993 and 1999 are not the years of the Consumer Protection Act.