Consumer complaint fees, time limits and appeals
Which Consumer Commission to approach, the filing fee for each claim value, the two-year time limit, hearing timelines and appeal deadlines.
In short
File within two years of the problem. The District Commission hears cases where you paid up to ₹50 lakh, and there is no filing fee up to ₹5 lakh. An appeal against a District Commission order must be filed within 45 days, after depositing half the amount ordered.
Which Commission hears your complaint
The forum depends on the value of the goods or services you paid for, not on the compensation you claim. The Supreme Court upheld this method in April 2025.
| Value you paid | Commission |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹50 lakh | District Commission |
| Above ₹50 lakh, up to ₹2 crore | State Commission |
| Above ₹2 crore | National Commission |
For residents of Coimbatore district, most complaints go to the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Coimbatore. The Tamil Nadu State Commission sits in Chennai, and the National Commission in New Delhi.
Filing fees
The fee depends on the same value. These are the fees fixed in August 2023, payable online when you file.
| Value you paid | Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹5 lakh | Nil |
| Above ₹5 lakh, up to ₹10 lakh | ₹200 |
| Above ₹10 lakh, up to ₹20 lakh | ₹400 |
| Above ₹20 lakh, up to ₹50 lakh | ₹1,000 |
| Above ₹50 lakh, up to ₹1 crore | ₹2,000 |
| Above ₹1 crore, up to ₹2 crore | ₹2,500 |
| Above ₹2 crore, up to ₹4 crore | ₹3,000 |
| Above ₹4 crore, up to ₹6 crore | ₹4,000 |
| Above ₹6 crore, up to ₹8 crore | ₹5,000 |
| Above ₹8 crore, up to ₹10 crore | ₹6,000 |
| Above ₹10 crore | ₹7,500 |
Time limit to file
A complaint must be filed within two years from the date the cause of action arose, under Section 69 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The Commission can admit a later complaint only if you show sufficient cause for the delay, so it is unwise to wait.
How long a case takes
- The Commission is to decide within 21 days whether to admit the complaint. If it does not decide in that time, the complaint is treated as admitted.
- The opposite party gets 30 days to reply, extendable by up to 15 days. In 2020 the Supreme Court held that this 45-day limit cannot be extended further.
- The Act asks the Commission to try to decide the complaint within three months of notice to the opposite party, or five months if goods have to be tested in a laboratory. In practice, many cases take longer.
Appeals
| Order of | Appeal to | Time limit | Deposit before appeal |
|---|---|---|---|
| District Commission | State Commission | 45 days | 50% of the amount ordered |
| State Commission | National Commission | 30 days | 50% of the amount ordered |
| National Commission | Supreme Court | 30 days | 50% of the amount ordered |
A late appeal can be admitted if there was sufficient cause for the delay. The deposit applies to the party who has been ordered to pay.
If the order is not obeyed
The order can be enforced like a civil court decree under Section 71. Failing to comply with a Commission's order is also an offence under Section 72, punishable with imprisonment from one month to three years, a fine from ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh, or both.
Common questions
Is there a fee to file a consumer complaint?
There is no fee where the value of the goods or services paid for is up to ₹5 lakh. Above that, the fee ranges from ₹200 to ₹7,500 depending on the value.
What is the time limit to file a consumer complaint?
Two years from the date the cause of action arose. A later complaint is admitted only if the Commission accepts that there was sufficient cause for the delay.
How long does a consumer case take?
The Act asks Commissions to try to decide a complaint within three months of notice to the opposite party, or five months where goods are tested. Many cases take longer in practice.
How do I appeal against a District Commission order?
File an appeal before the State Commission within 45 days of the order. A party ordered to pay must first deposit 50% of the amount.
This guide is general information on Indian law as of 10 October 2026 and is not legal advice. Rules, limits and fees change, so check the current position. For advice on your own facts, consult an advocate.