National Consumer Helpline facilitates refunds of over ₹105 crore to consumers in 15 months

The National Consumer Helpline (NCH), functioning under the Department of Consumer Affairs, facilitated refunds exceeding ₹105 crore to consumers across 35 sectors by addressing 1,66,189 refund-related grievances between 25 April 2025 and 31 July 2026. Operating at the pre-litigation stage through a convergence-based mechanism, the NCH enables timely relief without resorting to Consumer Commissions. The e-commerce sector accounted for the largest share, contributing over ₹74 crore in refunds from 1,00,466 complaints, followed by the Travel & Tourism sector with over ₹10 crore. Accessible via 17 languages through toll-free numbers, the INGRAM portal, WhatsApp, and mobile applications, the platform serves metropolitan and remote regions alike, strengthening consumer protection and confidence in digital marketplaces.