How to File a Consumer Complaint in India (e-Daakhil): Limits, Time and Process
If you paid for a product or service and received a defective product, poor service or unfair treatment, you can approach a Consumer Commission under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. You can file the complaint yourself or through an advocate.
Which Commission?
| Value of goods or services paid | Commission |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹50 lakh | District Commission |
| Above ₹50 lakh up to ₹2 crore | State Commission |
| Above ₹2 crore | National Commission |
You can file in the district where you live or work, or where the company has its office or where the cause arose.
Time limit
The complaint must be filed within 2 years from the date the problem arose. Delay can be condoned only for sufficient cause.
How to file
- Write to the company first and keep its reply. You can also call the National Consumer Helpline (1915).
- Collect bills, receipts, warranty cards, emails and photographs.
- File online on the e-Daakhil portal (edaakhil.nic.in) or physically at the Commission.
- No fee is charged for complaints up to ₹5 lakh; above that, a small fee applies.
Common consumer cases
- Insurance claim rejected or reduced.
- Delay in possession of a flat or plot by a builder (RERA is another option).
- Bank charges, service failures and credit card disputes.
- Defective vehicles, electronics and appliances.
- Medical negligence, education institutes, travel and airlines.
This guide gives general legal information under Indian law as of October 2026. It is not legal advice. Laws, rules and fees change, and every case depends on its own facts, so take advice from an advocate before acting.