India, Sept. 9 -- The Government of India has issued a release:

The National Consumer Helpline (NCH), by the Department of Consumer Affairs, has facilitated refunds of more than Rs.105 crore to consumers across 35 sectors by addressing 1,66,189 refund-related grievances during the fifteen-month period from 25 April 2025 to 31 July 2026.

The refunds were facilitated at the pre-litigation stage, enabling consumers to obtain timely relief without having to approach the Consumer Commissions. The National Consumer Helpline has emerged as a single-point access platform for consumers across the country to register grievances and seek resolution.

The e-commerce sector accounted for the largest share of refund-related grievances, with 1,00,466 complaints resulting in refunds of more than Rs.74 crore. The Travel & Tourism sector followed, with refunds exceeding Rs.10 crore. During May 2026 to July 2026, refunds facilitated in the e-commerce sector ranged from Rs.1 to Rs.35,83,790, covering consumer grievances of varying nature and value.

Key highlights:

The NCH operates through a convergence-based mechanism under which consumer grievances are digitally forwarded to the concerned companies for resolution within defined timelines. The process is supported by continuous monitoring and tracking of consumer feedback.

Refund-related grievances received through NCH have come from metropolitan cities as well as remote regions across the country, reflecting the platform's reach as a pan-India mechanism for consumer grievance redressal.

Consumer grievances resolved through NCH

NCH provides multiple channels for consumer access

The National Consumer Helpline provides consumers access to grievance redressal in 17 languages through multiple channels:

The facilitation of refunds exceeding Rs.105 crore during the period from 25 April 2025 to 31 July 2026 highlights the role of NCH in providing accessible and time-bound grievance redressal at the pre-litigation stage.

The initiative also contributes to strengthening consumer confidence in digital marketplaces and service ecosystems by providing consumers with a convenient mechanism to raise grievances and seek timely resolution. Consumers are encouraged to proactively utilise the National Consumer Helpline to safeguard their consumer rights and seek redressal of their grievances.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.