Consumer complaint guide and fee checker
Enter what you paid to see which consumer commission hears your complaint and what the fee is, then follow the steps to file online on e-Jagriti. The level and the fee depend on the amount you paid, not the amount you claim. You generally have two years to file.
This is general information, not legal advice for your situation. What you type stays in your browser unless you choose to send it to an advocate.
Which commission, what fee?
How to file a consumer complaint online
You may still see e-Daakhil mentioned in older guides. e-Jagriti, launched on 1 January 2025, brought e-Daakhil and other systems into one platform, and it is now the place to file at the District, State and National levels.
- Write to the seller first. Ask for the refund, repair or replacement in writing and give a date for a reply. Keep what you send and what comes back.
- Consider the National Consumer Helpline. You can call 1915 or use its website. It forwards your grievance to the company. This is not a court case, so do not count on it to stop the two years from running.
- Gather your papers. Keep the invoice, warranty card, payment proof, messages with the seller, repair reports, and any proof of the defect ready in clear scans.
- Draft the complaint. Set out what you bought, what went wrong, what you asked for, and the relief you want. You may also be asked for items such as an index and a list of dates.
- Register on e-Jagriti. Registration is by one-time password, and you can then choose to file a complaint.
- Fill in the form. Enter the amount paid and the amount claimed, the other side’s details, and upload your documents.
- Pay the fee and submit. The fee, if any, is paid online through the portal. Note your filing number.
- Follow the case. You can track it online and may be able to attend hearings by video. The commission may also suggest mediation.
Fee and level at a glance
| Amount paid | Commission | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Up to Rs 5 lakh | District | No fee |
| Up to Rs 10 lakh | District | Rs 200 |
| Up to Rs 20 lakh | District | Rs 400 |
| Up to Rs 50 lakh | District | Rs 1,000 |
| Up to Rs 1 crore | State | Rs 2,000 |
| Up to Rs 2 crore | State | Rs 2,500 |
| Up to Rs 4 crore | National | Rs 3,000 |
| Up to Rs 6 crore | National | Rs 4,000 |
| Up to Rs 8 crore | National | Rs 5,000 |
| Up to Rs 10 crore | National | Rs 6,000 |
| Above Rs 10 crore | National | Rs 7,500 |
Time limits to keep in mind
- You have two years from the date the cause of action arose under section 69. A late complaint needs sufficient cause.
- The commission ordinarily decides on admission within 21 days under section 36, and if it does not, the complaint is treated as admitted.
- Section 38(7) aims for a decision within three months of notice to the other side, or five months where goods need testing. These are targets.
Section 35 lets a consumer file a complaint personally, so an advocate is optional. If you want help, see our page on consumer litigation, or our complaint drafting service.
Common questions
Has e-Jagriti replaced e-Daakhil?
Yes. The Department of Consumer Affairs launched e-Jagriti on 1 January 2025, and it brought e-Daakhil, the Online Case Monitoring System, the NCDRC case system and Confonet into one platform. Consumer complaints are now filed through e-jagriti.gov.in, where you can also pay the fee, attend virtual hearings and track your case.
Which consumer commission will hear my complaint?
It depends on the value of what you paid. Under the 2021 Jurisdiction Rules, the District Commission hears complaints up to Rs 50 lakh, the State Commission hears those above Rs 50 lakh and up to Rs 2 crore, and the National Commission hears those above Rs 2 crore.
What is the fee for a consumer complaint?
There is no fee where the amount paid is up to Rs 5 lakh. After that the fee is Rs 200 up to Rs 10 lakh, Rs 400 up to Rs 20 lakh, and Rs 1,000 up to Rs 50 lakh. The fee then rises in steps, reaching Rs 7,500 above Rs 10 crore.
How long do I have to file a consumer complaint?
Section 69 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 says a commission will not admit a complaint unless it is filed within two years of the date the cause of action arose. A late complaint can be accepted if you show sufficient cause for the delay, and the commission records its reasons.
Can I file in the city where I live?
Yes, you usually can. Section 34(2)(d) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 allows a complaint at the District Commission where you live or personally work for gain. You can also file where the seller lives or does business, or where the cause of action arose, even in part.
How long does a consumer complaint take to decide?
The Act sets targets. Admission is ordinarily decided within 21 days of filing. The commission then aims to decide within three months of notice to the other side, or five months where goods need testing. These are targets, and many complaints take longer than this in practice.
- National Consumer Day note on e-Jagriti, Press Information Bureau, December 2025
- e-Jagriti, Department of Consumer Affairs
- National Consumer Helpline, Department of Consumer Affairs
- Consumer Protection (Jurisdiction of the District Commission, the State Commission and the National Commission) Rules, 2021
- Consumer Protection (Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission) (Amendment) Rules, 2023, G.S.R. 606(E), fee table
- Fee structure to file a complaint, Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019, section 34
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019, section 35
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019, section 36
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019, section 38
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019, section 69