Your complaint about faulty goods or a poor service is registered with the National Consumer Helpline and, if needed, filed before a District Consumer Commission.
For whom: People in Andhra Pradesh who bought goods or a service (online too) and met a defect, an unfair practice or a poor service.
Published on 30-10-2026. Not every fact has been checked against its official source yet: confirm at the office.
Answer a few questions to see which steps apply to you. The whole guide is below.
Documents you need
•
Proof for your complaint
copy
For example: the bill or receipt, proof of payment, the warranty card, your letters and e-mails with the seller and their replies, the helpline grievance number
Not confirmed: e-Jagriti asks for "Annexures" to be uploaded but does not list them; the papers above are only examples.
•
The complaint, with a notarised affidavit
original
•
The filing papers e-Jagriti asks for
copy
Index, Proforma for Filing CC, Synopsis with List of Dates and Events, Memo of Parties
•
Vakalatnama (if an advocate files for you)
original
Not confirmed: e-Jagriti lists it among the required papers; the Act (section 35) lets the consumer file the complaint in person. If you file yourself, ask the commission whether you need it.
•
Application for condonation of delay
original
Steps
Only if
What did you buy the goods or service for? For my own or my family's use / To earn my own living by self-employment
1.
First tell the seller or the company in writing: what you bought, when, what went wrong and what you want (the defect fixed, a replacement or your money back). Keep a copy of your letter and every reply.
✋ You do this yourself
Not confirmed: The official papers we read have no rule that you must write to the seller first. The remedies above are among the orders a commission can make under section 39 of the Act.
2.
If it is not sorted out, register a complaint with the National Consumer Helpline (NCH): call 1915 or 1800-11-4000; send a WhatsApp or SMS to 8800001915; or register on consumerhelpline.gov.in, the NCH app or the UMANG app. Note the grievance number.
What did you buy the goods or service for? For my own or my family's use / To earn my own living by self-employment · How much did you pay for the goods or service? (The price you paid, not the compensation you will claim.) Up to ₹5 lakh / Above ₹5 lakh, up to ₹10 lakh / Above ₹10 lakh, up to ₹20 lakh / Above ₹20 lakh, up to ₹50 lakh
4.
If the helpline does not resolve it, you can file a case before a District Consumer Commission. Choose one of these districts: where the seller lives or has its business or a branch, where the problem arose, or where you live or work.
✋ You do this yourself
Not confirmed: We could not get an official list of which District Commission in Andhra Pradesh covers which districts (the State Commission's website, scdrc.ap.nic.in, did not open). e-Jagriti shows the commission once you choose the district; if in doubt, ask the legal services office in the district court complex.
5.
Write the complaint and sign the affidavit that goes with it before a notary. e-Jagriti requires a notarised affidavit.
🏛️ A notary
📎 The complaint, with a notarised affidavit
Only if
What did you buy the goods or service for? For my own or my family's use / To earn my own living by self-employment · How much did you pay for the goods or service? (The price you paid, not the compensation you will claim.) Up to ₹5 lakh / Above ₹5 lakh, up to ₹10 lakh / Above ₹10 lakh, up to ₹20 lakh / Above ₹20 lakh, up to ₹50 lakh · How long ago did the problem arise (or the seller refuse)? More than 2 years ago
6.
More than 2 years have passed, so also attach an application for condonation of delay, giving the reasons you could not file in time. The commission accepts it only if satisfied there was sufficient cause, and records its reasons if it does.
✋ You do this yourself
📎 Application for condonation of delay
Only if
What did you buy the goods or service for? For my own or my family's use / To earn my own living by self-employment · How much did you pay for the goods or service? (The price you paid, not the compensation you will claim.) Up to ₹5 lakh / Above ₹5 lakh, up to ₹10 lakh / Above ₹10 lakh, up to ₹20 lakh / Above ₹20 lakh, up to ₹50 lakh
7.
Register on e-Jagriti with your mobile number and an OTP. Indians living abroad (NRIs) can also file, pay and attend video hearings on e-Jagriti.
Under "File New Case", choose "Consumer Complaint". Fill in the amount paid, the amount you claim, the date the problem arose, the state (Andhra Pradesh) and the district; give your details and those of the opposite party (the seller). Upload the papers, choose the commission, check the preview and press "Final Submit". Keep the reference number it gives.
📎 The complaint, with a notarised affidavit, The filing papers e-Jagriti asks for, Proof for your complaint, Vakalatnama (if an advocate files for you)
⏱️ within 730 days · Within 2 years of the date the problem arose (section 69); if later, with the application above.
9.
The commission's registry checks your papers. If something is missing or wrong, it sends the case back ("reverted"); correct it and submit again.
🏛️ District Consumer Commission
Only if
What did you buy the goods or service for? For my own or my family's use / To earn my own living by self-employment · How much did you pay for the goods or service? (The price you paid, not the compensation you will claim.) Up to ₹5 lakh
10.
Pay the fee online on e-Jagriti, or by a crossed demand draft on a nationalised bank or a crossed Indian Postal Order in favour of the President of the District Commission, payable where the commission sits.
💰 Fee: Free · No fee when the price paid is up to ₹5 lakh.
Only if
What did you buy the goods or service for? For my own or my family's use / To earn my own living by self-employment · How much did you pay for the goods or service? (The price you paid, not the compensation you will claim.) Above ₹5 lakh, up to ₹10 lakh
11.
Pay the fee online on e-Jagriti, or by a crossed demand draft on a nationalised bank or a crossed Indian Postal Order in favour of the President of the District Commission, payable where the commission sits.
💰 Fee: ₹200 · For a price paid above ₹5 lakh and up to ₹10 lakh.
Only if
What did you buy the goods or service for? For my own or my family's use / To earn my own living by self-employment · How much did you pay for the goods or service? (The price you paid, not the compensation you will claim.) Above ₹10 lakh, up to ₹20 lakh
12.
Pay the fee online on e-Jagriti, or by a crossed demand draft on a nationalised bank or a crossed Indian Postal Order in favour of the President of the District Commission, payable where the commission sits.
💰 Fee: ₹400 · For a price paid above ₹10 lakh and up to ₹20 lakh.
Only if
What did you buy the goods or service for? For my own or my family's use / To earn my own living by self-employment · How much did you pay for the goods or service? (The price you paid, not the compensation you will claim.) Above ₹20 lakh, up to ₹50 lakh
13.
Pay the fee online on e-Jagriti, or by a crossed demand draft on a nationalised bank or a crossed Indian Postal Order in favour of the President of the District Commission, payable where the commission sits.
💰 Fee: ₹1,000 · For a price paid above ₹20 lakh and up to ₹50 lakh.
Only if
What did you buy the goods or service for? For my own or my family's use / To earn my own living by self-employment · How much did you pay for the goods or service? (The price you paid, not the compensation you will claim.) Up to ₹5 lakh / Above ₹5 lakh, up to ₹10 lakh / Above ₹10 lakh, up to ₹20 lakh / Above ₹20 lakh, up to ₹50 lakh
14.
The commission normally decides within 21 days of filing whether to admit the complaint. It may not reject it without hearing you. If it does not decide in that time, the complaint counts as admitted. The case number and hearing date come by SMS and e-mail.
🏛️ District Consumer Commission
15.
The commission sends a copy of the complaint to the seller, who must answer within 30 days (or 15 more if the commission allows). You can file a rejoinder to their answer.
🏛️ District Consumer Commission
16.
If the commission sees room for a settlement, it may ask both sides to say in writing within 5 days whether they agree to mediation.
🏛️ District Consumer Commission
17.
The case is heard on affidavits and documents; for sufficient cause the commission may hear the parties in person or by video conference. The Act asks it to try to decide within 3 months of the seller receiving notice (5 months if the goods must be tested).
🏛️ District Consumer Commission
18.
If the complaint is proved, the commission orders the seller, for example, to fix the defect, replace the goods, refund the price with interest, pay compensation or pay costs. The order is published on e-Jagriti.
🏛️ District Consumer Commission
For everyone
19.
For free legal help, go to the legal services office in the nearest court complex (the District Legal Services Authority, DLSA, or the Mandal Legal Services Committee). The National Legal Services Authority helpline is 15100.
💰 Fee: Free for those entitled: for example SC/ST members, women, children, persons with disabilities, industrial workers, and anyone whose yearly income does not exceed ₹3 lakh.
You cannot get this
Someone who buys to resell or for a business purpose is not a "consumer" under the Act (section 2(7)). Using it only to earn your own living by self-employment does count.
Instead, see:
To learn what route is open to you, ask the legal services office in the nearest court complex; helpline 15100.
You cannot get this
If the price paid is above ₹50 lakh and up to ₹2 crore, the case goes to the State Consumer Commission, not a District Commission.
Instead, see:
File before the Andhra Pradesh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission; e-Jagriti takes these cases too. Fee: ₹2,000 up to ₹1 crore; ₹2,500 for ₹1 to 2 crore.
Not confirmed: The State Commission's website (scdrc.ap.nic.in) did not open for us; we have not confirmed its address.
You cannot get this
If the price paid is above ₹2 crore, the case goes to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC).
Instead, see:
National Commission cases are also filed on e-Jagriti. The fee is ₹3,000 to ₹7,500, depending on the value.
Fees and time limits
Step 8
⏱️ within 730 days · Within 2 years of the date the problem arose (section 69); if later, with the application above.
Step 10
💰 Free · No fee when the price paid is up to ₹5 lakh.
Step 11
💰 ₹200 · For a price paid above ₹5 lakh and up to ₹10 lakh.
Step 12
💰 ₹400 · For a price paid above ₹10 lakh and up to ₹20 lakh.
Step 13
💰 ₹1,000 · For a price paid above ₹20 lakh and up to ₹50 lakh.
Step 19
💰 Free for those entitled: for example SC/ST members, women, children, persons with disabilities, industrial workers, and anyone whose yearly income does not exceed ₹3 lakh.
If something goes wrong
If it is rejected
If the District Commission's order wrongs you, you can appeal to the Andhra Pradesh State Consumer Commission within 45 days of the order. If there is an error plain on the face of the record, you can ask the same District Commission to review its order within 30 days.
Andhra Pradesh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (through e-Jagriti)
Not confirmed: The State Commission's website (scdrc.ap.nic.in) did not open for us; ask at the commission how to file the appeal.
If it is late
If the helpline does not resolve it, you can file a case before the District Commission: the helpline is only a step before a case. If the case is slow, check its status on e-Jagriti and ask at the commission's registry.