CONSUMER AWARENESS

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TITLE: CONSUMER AWARENESS

INFO:

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ACKNOWLEDGEMNT: I sincerely want to express my gratitude towards the

school for providing us with this wonderful opportunity of expanding our
knowledge about consumer rights and awareness.

I am highly indebted towards my teachers, _____, for their constant

guidance and support, as well as for their help in providing me with the
necessary information regarding the project.

My thanks and appreciation also go towards my mother for constantly

reminding me to complete this project on time, and to my friends, I thank
them for giving me motivation.

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INDEX:

SR. TOPIC PAGE NO REMARK

NO
1 Title 1
2 Acknowledgement 2
3 INdex Current page - 3
4 Introduction 4&5
5 Objective 6
6 Meaning of consumer 7&8
awareness
7 Forms of consumer FILL THE REST
exploitation LATERRR
BISHSHSH
8 Factors causing consumer
exploitation
9 Rights and duties of the
consumer
10 Measures for consumer
protection
11 Conclusion
12 Bibliography
13 Thank you

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INTRODUCTION:

Introduction
Every person who purchases or uses goods and services—whether for
personal use or daily needs—is considered a consumer. This includes
people of all age groups, from children to adults and the elderly. Whether
we are buying groceries, paying for transport, or using services like mobile
data or electricity, we are constantly acting as consumers. Because of
this, it's vital that individuals understand not only their rights but also
their responsibilities in the marketplace.

Why Consumer Awareness Matters

As the world becomes more connected through globalization and
technological advancement, the number of issues faced by consumers has
increased. These include receiving defective goods, being misled by
advertisements, or falling victim to unfair pricing. While the Indian
government has introduced several consumer protection laws, awareness
about these laws remains low among the general public.

In a country like India—where large sections of the population face

challenges such as poverty, limited education, and unemployment—
consumer awareness is not as widespread as it should be. This makes
consumer education especially important. If introduced in schools and
taught at a young age, it can help people make better decisions
throughout their lives.

Knowing Consumer Rights and Duties

A key part of consumer education is understanding one’s rights. These
include:

 The right to be safe from harmful products

 The right to receive accurate information

 The right to make choices among various options

However, it’s not just about rights. As consumers, we also have

responsibilities. These include using products responsibly, not wasting
resources, and standing up against dishonest sellers or companies.

Children as Young Consumers

In today’s world, even children are considered active consumers. They are
influenced heavily by media, advertisements, and their social
surroundings. It’s important for them to:

 Recognize the difference between what they want and what they
truly need

 Learn the value of saving money

 Read packaging information carefully

 Think critically about what advertisements are telling them

Many advertisements targeted at children—especially those promoting

snacks, beverages, or personal care products—can be misleading. That’s
why adults, including teachers and parents, must help children develop
the ability to understand and question what they see in ads.

Consumer Choices and the Environment

Being a responsible consumer also means thinking about the
environment. People, including children, need to be taught how to:

 Reduce waste and reuse materials

 Choose eco-friendly products

 Understand how buying habits can affect natural resources and

overall environmental health

Conclusion
In summary, everyone who uses goods and services is a consumer. Sadly,
many are still unaware of how to protect themselves in the market. This
makes consumer education an essential part of learning—especially for
students. Teaching young people about their rights, duties, and the impact
of their choices helps build a future generation of informed, smart, and
environmentally conscious citizens.

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OBJECTIVE:

1. Consumer awareness aims to educate individuals about various

products and services available in the market.

2. It helps identify the shortcomings and defects in products, and

suggests appropriate corrective actions.
 3. It informs consumers about the right authorities to approach and the
proper procedures to follow in case they encounter defective
products.

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Meaning of consumer awareness

Consumer Awareness is all about knowing your rights and

responsibilities when you buy products or use services. It’s about making
sure you understand what you’re buying, being aware of misleading ads,
and knowing how to protect yourself from bad deals. As consumers, we
have certain rights, like the right to safety, the right to get correct
information, and the right to choose what we want to buy.

But it’s not just about knowing your rights. It’s also about understanding
your duties as a consumer. This means using products properly, not
wasting things, and standing up if something seems unfair. Consumer
awareness helps people make smarter decisions, especially since a lot of
ads today target younger people. It teaches you how to read labels,
compare prices, and avoid being tricked by false claims. In a world full of
choices and online shopping, understanding consumer awareness is super
important for making sure you’re buying quality stuff and not getting
scammed.

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Forms of consumer exploitation

Consumer exploitation occurs when businesses take advantage of

consumers, either by providing low-quality products or engaging in unfair
practices. This often leads to consumers being cheated or deceived in
various ways. Some common forms of consumer exploitation include:

1. Underweight and under-measurement – Providing goods that

are below the promised weight or measurement.

2. Sub-standard quality – Selling products that do not meet the

expected or advertised quality.

3. High prices – Charging consumers more than what is fair or

reasonable for products or services.

4. Duplicate articles – Offering counterfeit or fake products disguised

as genuine.

5. Adulteration and impurity – Mixing or adding harmful substances

to products, compromising their quality.
 6. Lack of safety devices – Selling products without necessary safety
features, putting consumers at risk.

7. Artificial scarcity – Creating a false sense of shortage to drive up

demand and inflate prices.

8. False and incomplete information – Misleading consumers with

inaccurate or partial details about a product or service.

9. Unsatisfactory after-sale services – Failing to provide adequate

customer support or assistance after a purchase.

10. Rough behavior – Treating consumers rudely or

unprofessionally, especially when they have complaints or concerns.

These practices harm consumers and undermine trust in businesses,

making consumer protection and awareness essential.

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Factors causing consumer exploitation

Here are five key factors that lead to consumer exploitation:

1. Lack of Clear Information – Consumers often don’t get enough or

clear details about products, making it easier for businesses to trick
them.

2. Limited Knowledge of Rights – Many consumers don’t know their

rights, which makes them more vulnerable to unfair treatment.

3. Few Choices in the Market – When only a few businesses control

a market, they can raise prices or offer poor-quality products without
fear of losing customers.

4. Weak Consumer Protection – If laws that protect consumers are

not properly enforced, businesses can take advantage of customers
without facing penalties.

5. Confusing Terms – Complex product details or confusing contracts

can mislead consumers, especially when the fine print is hard to
understand.

These factors make it easier for businesses to exploit consumers,

highlighting the need for better education, clearer information, and
stronger protection laws.

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Rights and duties of consumer

As codified under the Indian Laws the Consumers have the following

Rights

1.Right to Safety—to protect against hazardous goods

2.Right to be Informed—about price, quality, purity

3.Right to Choose—access to a variety of goods and services at

competitive prices

4.Right to be Heard—consumers interest and welfare must be taken care

of

5.Right to seek Redressal—protection against unfair trade practices and

settling genuine grievances.

6.Right to Consumer Education. —Knowledge about goods and issues

related to consumers.

Duties

1.Insist on cash receipts or bill without fail, on all purchases made.

2. Read information carefully on the packets before purchasing.

3. Do not feel tempted on misleading advertisements.

4. Buy standardized products only i.e. of ISI, AGMARK brands

5. File consumer complaints against default in goods deficiency in

services, or unfair trade practices.

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Measures for consumer protection

Consumer protection is crucial in India to ensure that individuals are not

exploited in the marketplace. With the growing number of products and
services, there is a need for strong measures to protect consumers from
unfair practices, fraud, and poor-quality goods. The government has
implemented several laws and regulations to help consumers and provide
them with the tools to seek justice. Here are some important steps taken
to protect consumers in India:

1. Consumer Protection Act, 2019 – This comprehensive law aims

to safeguard consumer rights, prevent unfair trade practices, and
offer quick dispute resolution. It also set up the Central Consumer
Protection Authority (CCPA) to address complaints and enforce
the law effectively.
 2. Consumer Redressal Mechanisms – India has created consumer
protection forums at the district, state, and national levels to resolve
consumer complaints. These forums provide consumers with a
platform to address grievances regarding defective goods or poor
services.

3. Right to Information (RTI) – The RTI Act gives consumers the

right to request information from government agencies, promoting
transparency and enabling individuals to make well-informed
choices.

4. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) – The BIS ensures that

products adhere to safety and quality standards, protecting
consumers from harmful or substandard products. It also mandates
product labeling, which provides necessary details about the item.

5. Regulations for Online Shopping – To ensure fairness in the

growing e-commerce sector, the government has put regulations in
place to protect online consumers from fraud and ensure
transparent business practices in digital transactions.

These measures work together to empower consumers, making it easier

for them to understand their rights and take action against exploitation.

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Conclusion

To sum up, consumer awareness is essential for making informed and

smart decisions when it comes to purchasing products and services. As
consumers, we need to be aware of our rights to avoid falling victim to
unfair practices and low-quality products. The Indian government has
taken steps to protect consumers through laws like the Consumer
Protection Act, 2019, and by creating consumer forums to address
complaints. However, it's not just about knowing your rights—consumers
also need to be cautious when faced with misleading advertisements, fake
reviews, or hidden charges. It’s also important to encourage consumer
education at all levels, from schools to public awareness campaigns. By
staying informed and making responsible choices, consumers can drive
businesses to improve their products and services, ultimately making the
market better for everyone. Keeping up with evolving trends, like e-
commerce, will also help consumers navigate the digital marketplace
safely.
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Bibliography

1. Google (website)
2. Pinterest (website)
3. Wikipedia (website)
4. Together with (book)
5. All in one (book)
6. Byjus.com (website)
7. ChatGPT (website)
8. https://jagograhakjago.gov.in/ (website)

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