NCERT Class 10 Economics – Chapter 5: Consumer Rights
Exercise Questions (Pages 87–88): Short Answers & Simple Explanations
Q1. Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace? Illustrate with a few examples.
Answer: Rules protect consumers from unfair practices and cheating.
Explanation: Sellers may cheat by under‑weighing, selling fake or defective products, or overcharging. Regulations ensure fairness, quality, and safety.
Q2. What factors gave birth to the consumer movement in India? Trace its evolution.
Answer: It began due to unfair trade, food shortages, and black marketing.
Explanation: During the 1960s–70s, protests led to organisations and the Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) to help consumers.
Q3. Explain the need for consumer consciousness by giving two examples.
Answer: Consumers must be aware to avoid being cheated or harmed.
Explanation: For example, checking expiry dates or comparing prices before buying helps make smart choices.
Q4. Mention a few factors which cause exploitation of consumers.
Answer: Lack of awareness, low literacy, misleading ads, and missing product information.
Explanation: When people don’t know their rights, sellers can cheat with fake, unsafe, or overpriced goods.
Q5. What is the rationale behind the enactment of Consumer Protection Act 1986?
Answer: To protect consumer rights and provide a legal system for complaints.
Explanation: COPRA offered consumers an affordable way to fight unfair trade and get justice :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Q6. Describe some of your duties as consumers if you visit a shopping complex in your locality.
Answer: Check price, expiry date, bill, and quality before buying.
Explanation: Being vigilant, demanding bills, and avoiding unsafe or unverified goods keeps you safe and discourages malpractice.
Q7. Suppose you buy a bottle of honey and a biscuit packet. What logo or mark you will have to look for and why?
Answer: Agmark on honey and FSSAI logo on biscuits.
Explanation: Agmark ensures quality for agricultural goods; FSSAI ensures food safety standards.
Q8. What legal measures were taken by the government to empower consumers in India?
Answer: Laws like COPRA, setting up consumer courts, and certification marks (ISI, FSSAI, Agmark).
Explanation: These empower consumers to complain, ensure product quality, and uphold rights.
Q9. Mention some of the rights of consumers and write a few sentences on each.
Answer:
Right to Safety: Protection from unsafe goods.
Right to be Informed: Know price, ingredients, expiry, etc.
Right to Choose: Ability to select from options.
Right to Seek Redressal: File complaints and claim compensation.
Right to Consumer Education: Know and understand your rights.
Explanation: These rights help consumers make better choices and protect against harm or fraud :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Q10. By what means can the consumers express their solidarity?
Answer: By forming consumer groups and campaigning.
Explanation: Consumers can join groups, attend awareness events, and support complaints collectively :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
Q11. Critically examine the progress of consumer movement in India.
Answer: It has grown, but many remain unaware and delays persist.
Explanation: Though laws and forums exist, faster justice and stronger enforcement are needed :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
Q12. Match the following:
(i) Availing details of ingredients → Right to be informed
(ii) Agmark → Certification for edible oil/cereals
(iii) Accident due to faulty heater → Right to safety
(iv) Filing complaint in consumer court → Right to seek redressal
(v) Consumer awareness campaign → Jago Grahak Jago
Explanation: Matches rights with real-life examples and marks.
Q13. Say True or False:
(i) COPRA applies only to goods → False (covers services too) :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
(ii) ISI is mandatory for all products → False
(iii) Hallmark is certification for jewellery → True
(iv) Consumer redressal is very simple and quick → False
(v) Consumer has the right to compensation in case of loss → True
Explanation: Tests understanding of coverage, certification, rights, and reality vs. ideal.
Key Takeaways
- Laws like COPRA safeguard consumer rights and create redressal mechanisms.
- Fundamental consumer rights include safety, information, choice, redressal, and education.
- Consumer awareness and group action strengthen protection and promote fair practices.
- Increasing awareness and faster legal responses are still needed in India.
Tags: #NCERTEconomics #Class10 #ConsumerRights #COPRA #ConsumerMovement #Awareness