COPRA: What It Is, How It Protects Consumers in India

When you buy something in India and get cheated—whether it’s a broken phone, a fake warranty, or a service that never delivers—you’re protected by COPRA, the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, also known as the Consumer Protection Act, which gives buyers legal power to fight back. Also known as Consumer Protection Act, it’s the law that lets ordinary people take on big companies without needing a lawyer or a court room.

COPRA isn’t just a rulebook—it’s a system. It created consumer courts, special forums designed for quick, low-cost disputes between buyers and sellers, where you can file a complaint for free if the value is under ₹20 lakh. If you’re dealing with a defective product, misleading ads, or hidden charges, COPRA says you have the right to a refund, replacement, or compensation. The law also targets unfair trade practices, like false claims, bait-and-switch deals, or refusing to honor warranties, making it harder for businesses to trick you.

Many people still think they’re powerless against corporations. But under COPRA, you’re not. A mother who bought spoiled milk, a student who paid for a coaching class that vanished, or a family who got a faulty air conditioner—all of them used COPRA to get justice. The law doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor. It only cares if you were treated unfairly. And it’s still active today, updated in 2019 to cover online shopping, digital services, and e-commerce scams.

You’ll find posts here that break down how to use COPRA in real life: how to file a complaint, what evidence to collect, which section applies to your case, and how to avoid common mistakes that waste time. Some posts clear up myths—like whether Section 49 even exists (it doesn’t). Others show you how Section 55 and Section 60 work in practice, with real examples of refunds and penalties. This isn’t theory. It’s what people in India are using right now to get their money back and hold companies accountable.