India runs a three-tier consumer dispute system -- District, State, and National Commissions -- with pecuniary jurisdiction currently set at up to Rs. 50 lakh for the District Commission, Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 2 crore for the State Commission, and above Rs. 2 crore for the National Commission, based on the value of goods or services paid as consideration, not the compensation claimed.
Current pecuniary jurisdiction thresholds
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019’s original thresholds were revised by the Consumer Protection
(Jurisdiction of the District Commission, the State Commission and the National Commission) Rules, 2021.
Under the current rules, a District Commission hears complaints where the value of goods or services paid as
consideration does not exceed ₹50 lakh; a State Commission hears complaints from above ₹50 lakh up
to ₹2 crore; and the National Commission hears complaints above ₹2 crore. Jurisdiction is based on
the consideration paid for the goods or services -- not on the amount of compensation being claimed, a point
that has been litigated and settled by the Supreme Court.
Filing a complaint -- including online, via e-Jagriti
A consumer can file a complaint in person, through a lawyer (though one is not required), or online. Since
1 January 2025, the earlier e-Daakhil portal, along with related case-management applications, has been
consolidated into e-Jagriti, the unified national e-filing platform administered by the National Consumer
Disputes Redressal Commission -- consumers who filed under e-Daakhil before the consolidation should note that
references to e-Daakhil in older material now generally point to e-Jagriti. The platform lets a consumer file,
pay fees, track, and receive notices for a case from anywhere -- a practical option for NRIs and consumers not
physically located near the relevant Commission. Complaints must generally be filed within two years of the
cause of action, though Commissions can condone delay for sufficient cause.
Mediation under Chapter V
Sections 74-81 of the CPA 2019 require each Commission to maintain a Consumer Mediation Cell. Where the
parties consent, or where the Commission sees a possibility of settlement at the first hearing, the dispute
can be referred to mediation. A mediated settlement is not binding on its own -- it becomes enforceable only
once it is recorded and incorporated into the Commission’s order.
Which Commission should I approach if I paid Rs. 1.5 crore for a service that went wrong?
Based on the current 2021 Rules, a claim where the consideration paid was ₹1.5 crore would fall within
the State Commission’s jurisdiction (above ₹50 lakh up to ₹2 crore) -- note this is based on
the amount paid for the goods/service, not the compensation you are seeking.
Can I file a consumer complaint in India entirely online without visiting the Commission?
Yes -- the e-Jagriti portal (the unified platform that absorbed e-Daakhil from 1 January 2025) allows
filing, payment of fees, and tracking of a consumer case online, and many Commissions now conduct at least
some hearings via video conferencing, which is particularly useful for NRIs.
Is mediation compulsory before a Consumer Commission decides my case?
No -- mediation under Chapter V happens only with the consent of the parties, or where the Commission
identifies a realistic possibility of settlement at the first hearing. If mediation fails or is not pursued,
the case proceeds to be decided by the Commission itself.
