Consumer

Awareness
Divyansh Jain
X-H
2017040267

Economics Activity
(Social Science Project Work)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my gratitude and
appreciation to all those who gave me an
opportunity to work on this project. I extend my
heartfelt gratitude to our venerated principal Mr.
R.K. Pandey and our respected IC Secondary Ms.
Richa Sapra for their undaunted support and
encouragement to maintain our progress in track.
I extend my special thanks to my supervisor Mr.
Sulabh Kakkar whose sagacious guidance,
stimulating suggestions and encouragement
helped me in all time of fabrication process of
this project.
My profound thanks goes to my parents and
friends in helping and giving support whenever I
needed it in completion of my project.

NAME: Divyansh Jain

CLASS & SECTION: X-H
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Divyansh Jain of class

X-H of Delhi Public School Agra has
completed her/his Social Science project
work under my supervision and has taken
proper care and displayed utmost sincerity
in completion of this project.

Her/His project is up to the standards

both in respect of its contents & form as
per CBSE norms and embodies her/his
original views.

BEST
AWARD

Mr. Sulabh Kakkar Ms. Richa Sapra

(Subject Teacher) (I.C. Secondary)
TABLE OF
CONTENTS

01 Introduction

Meaning of
02 Consumer

Concept of Consumer awareness

03 and Common malpractices

Need for Consumer

04 awareness

Ways of spreading
05 consumer awareness

Rights of the
06 consumers
 Responsibilities
07 of the consumers

Ways and Means of

08 Consumer Protection

Consumer Protection
09 act 1986

The Cadbury
10 Worms Case

11 Conclusion

12 Bibliography
01 Introduction
I personally believe that for a businessperson,
micro-economics is a subject that is much more
essential that business studies or so-called
"entrepreneurship".

And consumer awareness, in itself, is an essential

topic that covers two of the 6 important segments
of a business, i.e. Business planning and accounts.

On a broader level, consumer awareness also helps

to understand the behavior of the people of an
organization or a nation, and helps to understand
the direction in which everything is moving.

02 Meaning of Consumer
A consumer is a person who buys or uses things like
food, clothes, toys, or gadgets. It's someone like you
who goes to the store or shop online to get the
things they want or need.
03 Concept of Consumer
awareness and Common
malpractices
Consumer awareness means knowing about your
rights and being informed about the products or
services you buy. It's important to be aware of what
you're buying, its quality, and whether you're getting
a fair price.
Sometimes, companies might do things that are not
fair to consumers. These are called malpractices.
 Here are some common malpractices to watch out
for:
1. False advertising: When a company lies or
exaggerates about what their product can do.
For example, saying a shampoo can make your
hair grow faster when it really can't.
2. Counterfeit products: These are fake products
that look like the real ones. They may not work
well and could even be dangerous. Be careful
when buying things online or from street
vendors.
3. Hidden fees: Some companies may add extra
charges without telling you upfront. It's
important to read the fine print and understand
all the costs involved before making a
purchase.
4. Poor quality or expired products: Sometimes,
companies sell products that are not good
quality or have expired. Always check the
expiration dates and read reviews before
buying.
By being aware and informed, you can protect
yourself from these malpractices and make better
choices as a consumer.
04 Need for Consumer
awareness
Consumer awareness is important because it helps
us make smart choices when buying things. When
we are aware of our rights and know about the
products or services we are getting, we can avoid
scams, buy good quality things, and get fair prices.
Being informed keeps us safe and ensures that we
are getting the best value for our money. The
following is a Pie chart showing a correlation
between consumer concern and identified
challenges, in India.
External pressure
Lack of Knowledge
7%
Vendor trust 14%
9%
Functionality limitation
3%
Security
14%

User resistance
19% Performance
7%

Customization
Lack of awareness 9%
9% Internet reliability
9%
05 Ways of spreading
consumer awareness
There are different ways to spread consumer
awareness:
1. Advertisements: Companies can create ads to
inform people about their rights and how to
make wise choices.
2. Education: Schools and organizations can
teach students and people about consumer
rights and responsibilities.
3. Public campaigns: Government and non-profit
organizations can run campaigns to raise
awareness through TV, radio, or social media.
4. Consumer helplines: Providing phone lines or
websites where people can ask questions and
seek advice about their consumer rights.
5. Product labels: Clear labels on products can
provide information about ingredients,
expiration dates, and safety precautions.
These methods help ensure that consumers have
the knowledge they need to make informed
decisions and protect themselves.
06 Rights of the consumers
Consumers have rights to protect them when
buying things:
1. Right to safety: Products should be safe to use
and not harm us.
2. Right to information: We should get clear
information about products, prices, and any
risks involved.
3. Right to choose: We can choose from different
products and services at fair prices.
4. Right to redress: If we buy something faulty, we
can get it fixed, replaced, or get our money
back.
5. Right to be heard: Our opinions and complaints
should be listened to and addressed by
companies and authorities.
These rights ensure that we are treated fairly and
have the power to make good choices as
consumers.
07 Responsibilities of the
consumers

As consumers, we have certain responsibilities:

1. Paying for what we buy: We should pay the
right amount for products or services we use.
2. Being honest: We should provide truthful
information when making purchases or filing
complaints.
3. Using products safely: We must follow
instructions and guidelines to use products
safely and prevent accidents.
4. Taking care of purchases: We should take good
care of the things we buy and use them
responsibly.
5. Speaking up: If we have any problems or
complaints, we should let the seller or
manufacturer know so they can help us.
By fulfilling these responsibilities, we can be
responsible and informed consumers.
08 Ways and Means of
Consumer Protection

Consumer protection means keeping consumers

safe and ensuring fair treatment. Here are some
ways and means of consumer protection:
1. Laws and regulations: Governments create
rules to protect consumers from fraud, unsafe
products, and unfair practices.
2. Consumer rights organizations: These
organizations help consumers by providing
information, support, and legal assistance if
needed.
3. Product standards: Governments set safety
standards for products to make sure they are
safe for use.
4. Complaint mechanisms: Consumers can file
complaints with consumer protection agencies
or ombudsmen to resolve issues and seek
compensation.
These efforts help protect consumers and ensure
that businesses treat them fairly and responsibly.
 Consumers with high awareness
22.4%

Consumers with average awareness

54.4%

Consumers with low awareness

23.2%
09 Consumer Protection act
1986
The Consumer Protection Act of 1986 is a law in
India that aims to protect the rights and interests of
consumers. It helps ensure that consumers are
treated fairly by businesses and have a way to seek
redress if they face any problems.
Here are some key points about the Consumer
Protection Act:
1. Consumer Rights: The law provides certain
rights to consumers, such as the right to safety,
right to information, right to choose, and right
to be heard.
2. Consumer Forums: The Act establishes
consumer forums at the district, state, and
national levels.
3. Redressal of Complaints: They can file a
complaint with the appropriate consumer
forum.
4. Penalties: The Act specifies penalties for
businesses that violate consumer rights. These
penalties can include fines and imprisonment,
depending on the severity of the offense.
The Consumer Protection Act helps empower
consumers and holds businesses accountable for
their actions. It ensures that consumers have a
voice and a way to protect their interests in the
marketplace.

10 The Cadbury Worms Case

One notable Indian case related to consumer rights
is the "Cadbury Worms Case" in 2003. It involved a
consumer, Mr. Naresh Kumar, who found live worms
inside a packet of Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate
that he purchased. He filed a complaint with the
District Consumer Forum seeking compensation for
mental agony and harassment.
The District Consumer Forum ruled in favor of Mr.
Kumar and directed Cadbury India Ltd. to pay
compensation of Rs. 1,00,000 for the deficiency in
service and the mental agony caused. The forum
stated that the presence of worms in the chocolate
indicated a manufacturing defect, which posed a
risk to consumer health.
This case highlighted the importance of quality
control and consumer safety in the food industry. It
showcased the power of the Consumer Protection
Act in safeguarding consumer rights and holding
businesses accountable for their products.
11 Conclusion
In conclusion, consumer awareness plays a crucial
role in empowering individuals and protecting their
rights in the marketplace. Through this project, we
have explored the concept of consumer awareness
and its significance in everyday life. We have
discussed common malpractices that consumers
should be aware of, as well as the need for
consumer awareness to make informed decisions.
Additionally, we examined the Consumer Protection
Act of 1986 in India, which serves as a legal
framework to safeguard consumer rights and
provide a platform for grievance redressal. By
spreading consumer awareness, educating
ourselves, and staying informed, we can become
empowered consumers who make wise choices and
contribute to a fair and transparent marketplace.
12 Bibliography
1. The data, of the pie charts has been taken from
official surveys conducted by the Indian
Government
2. The text written is my transcription from the
chapter's content, garnished by my personal
knowledge in the field.
3. The photos used are all recoloured vectors as
per the project theme.