In India, several consumer organisations and Non-Governmental Organis…

In India, several consumer organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been set up for the protection and promotion of consumers’ interests. They perform several functions for the protection and promotion of the interests of consumers. Identify the correct function.

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Providing legal assistance to consumers by way of providing aid, legal advice etc. in seeking legal remedy.

Option (1) Ordering to refund the price paid for the product, or the charges paid for the service. — Incorrect. Only a consumer commission can order a refund. It is one of the reliefs the commission gives, not a function of a consumer organisation.
Option (2) Paying a reasonable amount of compensation for any loss or injury suffered by consumer. — Incorrect. Compensation too is a relief ordered by a commission and paid by the seller at fault.
Option (3) Providing legal assistance to consumers by way of providing aid, legal advice etc. in seeking legal remedy. — Correct. Consumer organisations and NGOs help consumers fight their cases. They give legal advice and aid so that a consumer can seek a remedy. They also educate consumers, test products and file complaints on their behalf.
Option (4) Withdrawing the hazardous goods from sale. — Incorrect. This is also a relief a commission can order against a seller. An NGO has no such power.

NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Role of Consumer Organisations And Ngos … Consumer organisations and NGOs perform several functions for the protection and promotion of interest of consumers. These include:
(i) Educating the general public about consumer rights by organising training programmes, seminars and workshops.
(ii) Publishing periodicals and other publications to impart knowledge about consumer problems, legal reporting, reliefs available and other matters of interest.
(iii) Carrying out comparative testing of consumer products in accredited laboratories to test relative qualities of competing brands and publishing the test results for the benefit of consumers.
(iv) Encouraging consumers to strongly protest and take an action against unscrupulous, exploitative and unfair trade practices of sellers.
(v) Providing legal assistance to consumers by way of providing aid, legal advice etc. in seeking legal remedy.”

“Relief Available Where District or State or National Commission is satisfied about defect in goods, or deficiency in services on any unfair trade practice or claim for compensation under product liability, issues an order:
(i) To remove the defect in goods or deficiency in service.
(ii) To replace the defective product with a new one, free from any defect.
(iii) To refund the price paid for the product, or the charges paid for the service.
(iv) To pay a reasonable amount of compensation for any loss or injury suffered by the consumer due to the negligence of the opposite party.”

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Providing legal assistance to consumers by way of providing aid, legal advice etc. in seeking legal remedy.

Option (1) Ordering to refund the price paid for the product, or the charges paid for the service. — Incorrect. Only a consumer commission can order a refund. It is one of the reliefs the commission gives, not a function of a consumer organisation.
Option (2) Paying a reasonable amount of compensation for any loss or injury suffered by consumer. — Incorrect. Compensation too is a relief ordered by a commission and paid by the seller at fault.
Option (3) Providing legal assistance to consumers by way of providing aid, legal advice etc. in seeking legal remedy. — Correct. Consumer organisations and NGOs help consumers fight their cases. They give legal advice and aid so that a consumer can seek a remedy. They also educate consumers, test products and file complaints on their behalf.
Option (4) Withdrawing the hazardous goods from sale. — Incorrect. This is also a relief a commission can order against a seller. An NGO has no such power.