Right to Information About Goods and Services in India
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Indian central (Union) law — Constitution of India, central Acts of Parliament, and Supreme Court decisions. State-level information reflects each state's own Acts and High Court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Consumers have a legal right to accurate and complete information about the goods and services they purchase.
- Right to information (CPA 2019, s. 2(9)): Consumers have the right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard, and price of goods and services to protect against unfair trade practices.
- Mandatory MRP disclosure (Legal Metrology — Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011): Every pre-packaged product must display the:
- Name and address of the manufacturer/packer.
- Net quantity (weight, volume, count).
- Maximum Retail Price (MRP) inclusive of all taxes.
- Month and year of manufacture and best-before date (where applicable).
- Food labelling (FSSAI): Packaged foods must carry nutritional information, allergen declarations, veg/non-veg symbol, and shelf life — FSSAI (fssai.gov.in) enforces this.
- Service disclosures: Service providers (hospitals, hotels, airlines) must disclose all charges upfront and cannot add charges not disclosed at the time of agreement.
When does it apply?
- A product you purchased does not display MRP or carries a false MRP.
- A packaged food product does not show ingredients, allergens, or expiry date.
- A service provider (hotel, hospital) added charges not disclosed before you agreed to the service.
What to Do If a Product in India Is Missing Mandatory Labels or Disclosures
- Report MRP violations to the Legal Metrology Inspector in your district (under the state Weights and Measures department).
- Report food labelling violations to the nearest FSSAI Food Safety Officer or on the FSSAI portal.
- For undisclosed service charges, refuse payment and file a complaint with the National Consumer Helpline (1800-11-4000) or Consumer Commission.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not pay prices above MRP — overcharging is immediately actionable; the seller has no defence for charging above the printed MRP.
- Do not purchase packaged food without checking the expiry/best-before date — selling expired food is an offence under FSSAI.
Common Questions
When does right to information about goods and services apply?
A product you purchased does not display MRP or carries a false MRP.A packaged food product does not show ingredients, allergens, or expiry date.A service provider (hotel, hospital) added charges not disclosed before you agreed to the service.
What should I do if a product I bought in India has no MRP, expiry date, or required labelling?
Report MRP violations to the Legal Metrology Inspector in your district (under the state Weights and Measures department).Report food labelling violations to the nearest FSSAI Food Safety Officer or on the FSSAI portal.For undisclosed service charges, refuse payment and file a complaint with the National Consumer Helpline (1800-11-4000) or Consumer Commission.
What mistakes should I avoid with right to information about goods and services?
Do not pay prices above MRP — overcharging is immediately actionable; the seller has no defence for charging above the printed MRP.Do not purchase packaged food without checking the expiry/best-before date — selling expired food is an offence under FSSAI.