Case Based Questions: Consumer Rights | Social Studies (SST) Class 10 PDF Download

Q1: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Consumers often find themselves in a weak position in the marketplace, especially when they purchase faulty goods or receive poor services. Traders sometimes engage in unfair trade practices, such as selling adulterated food, charging higher than the MRP, or providing misleading advertisements. The consumer movement arose as a response to such exploitation, ensuring that buyers have rights and protections under the law.

i. Why do consumers need protection in the marketplace? (1 mark)
ii. What is an unfair trade practice? Give an example. (1 mark)
iii. Suggest two ways in which consumers can protect themselves from exploitation. (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Consumers need protection because sellers may engage in unfair practices, such as selling defective products, misleading advertisements, and overpricing.
ii. An unfair trade practice is any business activity that cheats or misleads consumers. 
Example: Selling expired medicines without informing buyers.
iii. Consumers can protect themselves by:

• Checking for ISI, Agmark, or other quality certifications before purchasing products.
• Filing complaints with consumer forums if they experience unfair treatment.

Q2: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) was enacted in 1986 to safeguard the rights of consumers in India. It provides legal protection against unfair trade practices, defective goods, and deficient services. Under COPRA, consumers can file complaints in Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions at the district, state, and national levels. The law empowers consumers to demand justice and compensation.

i. What is the main objective of COPRA? (1 mark)
ii. Name the three levels of Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions. (1 mark)
iii. How has COPRA benefited consumers? Mention two ways. (2 marks)

Ans:
i. The main objective of COPRA is to protect consumers from unfair trade practices and provide a mechanism for seeking justice and compensation.
ii. The three levels of Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions are District Commission, State Commission, and National Commission.
iii. COPRA has benefited consumers by:

• Legal platform: It provides a means for consumers to seek redress against fraud and unfair practices.
• Fair trade policies: It requires businesses to adhere to fair trade practices and disclose important product details.

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Q3: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Consumer organisations play a key role in protecting consumer rights by spreading awareness, providing legal support, and pressuring the government to enforce laws. Organisations like Consumer Protection Councils and NGOs help consumers fight against false advertisements, low-quality goods, and price exploitation.

i. How do consumer organisations help buyers? (1 mark)
ii. Name one consumer organisation in India that works to protect consumer rights. (1 mark)
iii. How can consumers become more aware of their rights? Mention two ways. (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Consumer organisations help buyers by spreading awareness, filing complaints on behalf of consumers, and lobbying for stronger consumer protection laws.
ii. One consumer organisation in India is Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS).
iii. Consumers can become more aware of their rights by:

• Reading product labels, checking expiry dates, and understanding their rights under consumer laws.
• Participating in consumer awareness programmes and seeking help from consumer protection councils.

Q4: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

To ensure product safety and quality, the government has introduced standardisation marks like ISI, Agmark, and Hallmark. These marks certify that products meet the required quality standards. For example, ISI certification is used for electrical goods, Agmark ensures food quality, and Hallmark certifies gold jewellery purity.

i. Why are standardisation marks important for consumers? (1 mark)
ii. What does the ISI mark certify? (1 mark)
iii. Mention two other standardisation marks and the products they are associated with. (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Standardisation marks are important because they assure consumers of a product’s safety, quality, and reliability.
ii. The ISI mark certifies the quality and safety of electrical appliances and industrial products.
iii.

• Agmark: Ensures quality of food products like spices and edible oils.
• Hallmark: Certifies purity of gold and silver jewellery.

Q5: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, enacted in 2005, empowers citizens to demand transparency from government offices and public service providers. Consumers can use RTI to seek details about faulty services, overcharging, and misleading advertisements. This law strengthens consumer rights by holding businesses and public institutions accountable.

i. What is the purpose of the RTI Act? (1 mark)
ii. How can consumers use RTI for their benefit? (1 mark)
iii. Give two examples where RTI can help consumers in daily life. (2 marks)

Ans:
i. The purpose of the RTI Act is to ensure transparency in government operations and provide citizens with access to public information.
ii. Consumers can use RTI to get information about government policies, pricing, or complaints related to faulty services and fraud.
iii. Examples where RTI can help consumers:

• Checking how municipal funds are spent on public services, such as roads and water supply.
• Understanding the reasons for delays in refund claims from government offices.

Q6: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Every consumer has certain rights and responsibilities while purchasing goods and services. The right to safety ensures that products do not harm consumers' health. The right to be informed allows buyers to know the details of a product before purchasing it. Along with these rights, consumers have the responsibility to check product details, demand bills, and report unfair practices.

i. What does the right to safety ensure for consumers? (1 mark)
ii. Why is it important for consumers to be informed before making a purchase? (1 mark)
iii. Mention two responsibilities that consumers should follow to protect their interests. (2 marks)

Ans:
i. The right to safety ensures that products do not cause harm to consumers and meet quality standards.
ii. Being informed is important because it helps consumers understand the price, expiry date, and quality of a product before purchasing it.
iii. Two responsibilities consumers should follow:

• Always demand a bill or receipt for purchases.
• Check expiry dates, quality marks, and read instructions before using a product.

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Q7: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Consumers often face exploitation in the marketplace due to misleading advertisements, overpricing, and poor-quality goods. Some companies make false claims about their products to attract buyers. Others charge prices higher than the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), especially during high-demand seasons. Consumer awareness and strong laws are necessary to stop such exploitation.

i. What is meant by consumer exploitation? (1 mark)
ii. Give one example of how consumers are misled by advertisements. (1 mark)
iii. How can consumers protect themselves from exploitation? Mention two ways. (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Consumer exploitation occurs when traders or manufacturers cheat consumers by providing low-quality goods, false information, or charging unfair prices.
ii. Example: A shampoo brand makes a false claim that using their product will stop hair fall in just one week.
iii. Consumers can protect themselves by:

• Reading product labels carefully before making a purchase.
• Raising complaints through consumer forums or taking legal action if they feel cheated.

Q8: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Advertisements help businesses promote products, but they also play a role in consumer awareness. Informative advertisements provide correct details about products, while misleading advertisements may exaggerate benefits or hide defects. Consumers must be careful and verify claims before purchasing a product.

i. How can advertisements be useful for consumers? (1 mark)
ii. What is one negative impact of misleading advertisements? (1 mark)
iii. Suggest two ways in which consumers can verify the claims made in advertisements. (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Advertisements are useful because they provide product details, comparisons, and help consumers make informed choices.
ii. One negative impact of misleading advertisements is that they create false expectations, leading consumers to waste money on ineffective products.
iii. Two ways consumers can verify advertisements:

• Reading product reviews or seeking expert opinions before purchasing.
• Checking product certifications like ISI, Agmark, or Hallmark to confirm quality claims.

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Q9: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Consumer education helps individuals understand their rights, responsibilities, and available legal protections. Many consumers are unaware of their rights and do not report fraudulent practices. Schools, consumer forums, and NGOs play a key role in spreading consumer awareness to ensure that people make informed choices.

i. Why is consumer education important? (1 mark)
ii. Name one institution that helps in spreading consumer awareness. (1 mark)
iii. Suggest two ways in which consumer education can be improved in India. (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Consumer education is important to help people identify fraud, understand product details, and take action against unfair trade practices.
ii. One institution that helps in spreading consumer awareness is Consumer Protection Council.
iii. Two ways to improve consumer education in India:

• Including consumer rights and awareness in school curricula.
• Conducting awareness campaigns through social media, television, and newspapers.

Q10: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

With the rise of e-commerce platforms, shopping has become more convenient. However, online shopping also brings risks such as fraudulent sellers, fake reviews, and delayed deliveries. To protect online consumers, platforms must provide return policies, secure payment options, and verified product listings.

i. What is one major risk consumers face while shopping online? (1 mark)
ii. How can return policies help protect online consumers? (1 mark)
iii. Suggest two precautions consumers should take while shopping online. (2 marks)

Ans:
i. One major risk in online shopping is receiving fake or defective products.
ii. Return policies help consumers by allowing them to return or exchange products if they do not meet expectations.
iii. Two precautions while shopping online:

• Check seller ratings and read customer reviews before making a purchase.
• Use secure payment methods, such as credit/debit cards or verified digital wallets.