Previous Year Questions: Consumer Rights - Social Studies (SST) Class 10

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Which logo of quality is marked on the gold jewellery?     [Al 2019]
Ans: Hallmark is an official mark on items made of gold.

Q2: Give an example of violation of consumer’s right to choose.    [AI 2017]
Ans: Any consumer who buys goods or receives a service has the right to choose whether to buy the goods or the service. As an example, sometimes cooking gas supply dealers insist that you have to buy the stove from them when you take a new connection. Here one’s right to choose another stove from another shop is being violated.

Q3: How is the maximum retail price printed on packets beneficial for you?     [AI 2017]
Ans: It is very beneficial, because of this the seller cannot sell the product at a higher price than the price printed on the pack.

Q4: Give any one example of consumer’s ‘right to choose.'    [Delhi 2017]
Ans: Suppose I want to buy toothpaste and selects a particular brand but the shop owner says that he will sell the toothpaste only if I buy a toothbrush also; such proposal violates my right to choose. This is because if I do not need a toothbrush I am forced to buy it because I need toothpaste.


Q5: If you want to extract information about the functions of any government department, which right would you exercise?     [Delhi 2017]
Ans: Right to Information (R.T.I.)

Q6: In what condition is the 'Right to Seek Redressal' exercised? Give an example.     [Foreign 2017]
Ans: Consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation. If any damage is done to a consumer, she has the right to get compensation. Example: Mahesh had sent a money order to his village for his daughter's marriage. The money did not reach his daughter at the time when she needed it nor did it reach months later. So, Mahesh filed a case in the district level consumer court and utilized the right to seek redressal.

Q7: If any damage is done to a consumer by a trader, under which consumer right one can move to consumer court to get compensation?    [Al 2016]
Ans: Right to seek redressal

Q8: Suppose you have to buy a packed bottle for drinking water in your journey. Which logo will you like to see to be sure about its quality?     [Delhi 2016]
Ans: ISI logo

Q9: If you are not interested to buy a brush with toothpaste but the shopkeeper denied to sell toothpaste only. In this case which consumer right is being violated by the seller?    [Foreign 2016]
Ans: Consumer's right to choose

Q10: What is the duty of a consumer?    [2016]
Ans: Consumer should look for the desired information on the product and collect payment receipt.

Q11: Name the levels of consumer courts that are available to appeal.    [2016]
Ans: Consumer courts are there at district, state, and national level.

Q12: Which logo will you like to see on the electric heater to be sure of its quality?   [Foreign 2016]
Ans: ISI logo


Q13: What is COPRA? When was it introduced?      [Foreign 2016]
Ans: COPRA stands for Consumer Protection Act. It came into effect in the year 1986.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: How can consumers use their 'Right to Seek Redressal'? Explain with example.     [Delhi 2019]
Ans: Consumers can exercise their 'Right to Seek Redressal' by approaching consumer courts or forums to file a complaint against unfair trade practices or exploitation. This right allows consumers to seek compensation for any damage or loss they have suffered as a result of such practices. The process of seeking redressal varies depending on the amount of compensation claimed.
For example, if a consumer purchased a car with a warranty but later discovered that the car did not have the features promised and was falsely advertised as an SUV, they can exercise their 'Right to Seek Redressal' by filing a case in a district level consumer court. The court will verify the documents and if the claim amount is below 20 lakh, the consumer can approach the District forum within thirty days of the dissatisfying event. If the claim amount is between 20 lakh to one crore, the consumer should go to the State Commission. If the claim amount is for more than one crore, the consumer should approach the National Commission. In this case, if the court finds the car dealer guilty, it can award full compensation to the consumer and take action against the car company for selling a false product.

Q2: Highlight any three rights of consumers.    [Al 2019]
Ans: The three rights of consumers are as follows:

• Right to be informed: Consumers have the right to be informed about the particulars of goods and services they purchase. This includes information about the quality, quantity, price, ingredients, and any potential risks associated with the product. If the product proves to be defective or does not meet the advertised specifications, consumers can complain and seek compensation or replacement.
• Right to choose: Consumers have the right to choose a product or service according to their needs and preferences. They should not be coerced or forced into purchasing something they do not want. For example, if a gas supply dealer insists on selling a stove along with a new connection, the consumer can legally appeal against this practice.
• Right to seek redressal: Consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation. If a consumer suffers any damage or loss due to such practices, they have the right to seek compensation based on the degree of damage. Consumer courts or forums have been established to provide redressal to aggrieved consumers. These quasi-judicial bodies hear and resolve consumer complaints.

Q3: How can consumer awareness be spread among consumers to avoid exploitation in the market place ? Explain any three ways.    [CBSE 2018]
Ans: (i) The government can spread awareness through posters about the legal process which people can use.
(ii) The government can spread awareness through advertisement on television channels. (iii) Consumers must be told to complain and ask for compensation or replacement if the product is found to be defective in any manner.
(iv) They must know about their rights i.e., Right to choose, Right to information, Right to seek redressal etc. They must exercise their right without any fear. If necessary the consumers must appeal in the consumer court for redressal of their grievances.

Q4: Create an advertisement for an online Consumer Awareness campaign to help consumers know their rights and save themselves from exploitation.    [CBSE Sample Paper 2018]
Ans: An advertisement for an online Consumer Awareness campaign to help consumers know their rights and save themselves from exploitation is given below :


Q5: If you are not interested to buy a brush with toothpaste but shopkeeper denied to sell toothpaste only. In this case which consumer right is being violated by the seller ?    [CBSE 2016]
Ans: Right to choose is being violated

Q6: If any damage is done to a consumer by a trader, under which consumer right one can move to consumer court to get compensation ?    [CBSE 2016]
Ans: Right to seek redressal.

Q7: Rules and regulations are required for the protection of the consumers in the market place.    [CBSE 2016]
Ans: Rules and regulations are required in the market place due to the following reasons: (i) The consumers are exploited by the shopkeepers and traders in different ways such as less weight or measurement, more price, adulterated and defective goods.
(ii) In case of a complaint, the shopkeeper or trader tries to avoid any responsibility and shifts all responsibility onto the buyer.
(iii) Big companies (MNCs) with huge wealth manipulate the market in their favour.
(iv) At times false information is passed on through the media, and other sources to attract consumers. For example, a company for years sold powder milk for babies all over the  world as the most scientific product claiming this to be better than mother’s milk. It took years of struggle before the company was forced to accept that it had been making false claims.
(v) A long battle was fought with the cigarette manufacturers to accept that their product (cigarette smoking) could cause cancer.

Q8: Which logo would you like to see for purchasing electrical goods ?    [CBSE 2015]
Ans: ISI mark.

Q9: Suppose your parents want to purchase gold jewellary along with you, then which logo will you look for on the jewellery ?    [CBSE 2015]
Ans: Hallmark.

Q10: How do large companies manipulate the markets ?    [CBSE 2015]
Ans: Rules and regulations are required in the market place due to the following reasons: (i) The consumers are exploited by the shopkeepers and traders in different ways such as less weight or measurement, more price, adulterated and defective goods.
(ii) In case of a complaint, the shopkeeper or trader tries to avoid any responsibility and shifts all responsibility onto the buyer.
(iii) Big companies (MNCs) with huge wealth manipulate the market in their favour.
(iv) At times false information is passed on through the media, and other sources to attract consumers. For example, a company for years sold powder milk for babies all over the  world as the most scientific product claiming this to be better than mother’s milk. It took years of struggle before the company was forced to accept that it had been making false claims.
(v) A long battle was fought with the cigarette manufacturers to accept that their product (cigarette smoking) could cause cancer.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1: What type of duties should a consumer keep in mind under consumer awareness? Explain.   [2016]
Ans:

• While purchasing, a consumer should consider the quality of the product, the marked price, and the guarantee or warranty period.
• It is advisable for consumers to purchase standardized products that bear the seal of ISI or Agmark or other standard marks.
• Consumers must be aware of their rights and duties.
• Consumers should form consumer awareness forums to have representation in various committees formed by the government.
• Consumers should know the methods to seek redressal in case of being cheated.

Q2: Explain with an example the impact of the Right to Information (R.T.I.).   [2015]
Ans:

• In October 2005, the Government of India enacted the Right to Information Act (R.T.I.), which grants citizens access to information regarding the functioning of various government departments.
• With the R.T.I., affected citizens can monitor the progress of government schemes and policies.
• The R.T.I. creates pressure on government officials to deliver results within a specific timeframe.
• It has helped in curbing corruption.
• The R.T.I. can also expose flaws in the selection process for government jobs.

Q3: Explain with an example how one can exercise the "Right to Choose."    [2014]
Ans: The consumer has the right to choose, which ensures satisfactory quality, service, and fair pricing. Here is an example:

• Any consumer, regardless of age, gender, or the nature of service, has the right to choose whether to continue receiving a service.
• For instance, if a shop owner insists that you can only buy toothpaste if you also purchase a toothbrush, and you are not interested in buying the brush, your right to choose is denied. Similarly, gas supply dealers may force you to buy a stove from them when you apply for a new connection, leaving you with no choice.
• In such cases, consumers can seek recourse through the Consumer Court under the Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) passed in 1986.