Which forum do I file in — District, State or National?

Use the total claim (value of goods/services + compensation sought). Up to ₹50 lakh → District Commission under §34 CPA 2019. ₹50 lakh to ₹2 crore → State Commission under §47. Above ₹2 crore → National Commission (NCDRC) under §58. The pecuniary slabs were re-fixed by the Consumer Protection (Procedure for Filing) Rules 2020 + the 2021 amendment.

How long do I have to file?

TWO years from the date the cause of action arose, under §69 CPA 2019. Delay can be condoned on sufficient cause shown — but it is far safer to file within the 2-year window. Appeal windows are tighter: 45 days District → State under §41; 30 days State → NCDRC under §51; 30 days NCDRC → Supreme Court under §67.

Do I need a lawyer to file on e-Daakhil?

No — the e-Daakhil portal at edaakhil.nic.in is built for self-represented consumers. The Department of Consumer Affairs operates it directly. The National Consumer Helpline (toll-free 1915) gives free pre-filing guidance and mediation. You only need a lawyer if the case is complex or the opposing side is heavily represented.

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Filing Helper

NCDRC e-Daakhil — Online Consumer Forum Filing

The Government of India e-Daakhil portal (edaakhil.nic.in) lets you file consumer complaints online at District, State or National (NCDRC) level under the Consumer Protection Act 2019. This page tells you which forum to file in, what it costs, the time limits, and links you straight to our Consumer Complaint Pack to draft the pleading itself.

Why use e-Daakhil?

It is the OFFICIAL Government of India portal launched 2020 — operated by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC).
No physical visit needed — file 24×7 in any of 600+ District / 35 State / 1 National Commission across India.
Court fee paid online via NetBanking / UPI / Card. Auto-receipt + case-number on filing.
§5 of the Consumer Protection (Mediation) Regulations 2020 — mediation may be offered before adjudication; binding only if both parties consent.

1. Which forum do you file in?

The forum depends on the value of goods or services PLUS compensation claimed, per §34 / §47 / §58 of the Consumer Protection Act 2019. Pick your slab:

District Commission

Up to ₹50 lakh

§34 CPA 2019. File in the District Commission having territorial jurisdiction where you live or where the cause of action arose.

Court fee: ₹100 (up to ₹5L) · ₹200 (₹5L–10L) · ₹400 (₹10L–20L) · ₹500 (₹20L–50L)

State Commission

₹50 lakh to ₹2 crore

§47 CPA 2019. Located in your State capital (or specified bench). Also hears appeals from the District Commission under §41.

Court fee: ₹2,000 (₹50L–1cr) · ₹4,000 (₹1cr–2cr)

National Commission (NCDRC)

Above ₹2 crore

§58 CPA 2019. Located in New Delhi (Janpath Bhawan, Janpath). Also hears appeals from State Commissions under §51.

Court fee: ₹5,000 (above ₹2cr). Appeals: ₹500 per matter.

2. Time limits — file BEFORE the limitation expires

Filing limitation — 2 years

§69 CPA 2019 — complaint must be filed within TWO years from the date the cause of action arose. Delay condonable on sufficient cause shown.

Decision target — 3 to 5 months

§38(7) CPA 2019 — Commission shall endeavour to decide the complaint within 3 months from date of notice (5 months if expert analysis or test required).

Appeal window — 30 / 45 days

§41 / §51 CPA 2019 — appeal from District to State Commission within 45 days; State to NCDRC within 30 days; NCDRC to Supreme Court within 30 days under §67.

3. 5-step e-Daakhil filing checklist

1
Register on edaakhil.nic.in

Free registration with name + email + mobile. OTP-verified. No paid intermediary required — the portal is operated directly by the Department of Consumer Affairs.
2
Draft your complaint

Use our Consumer Complaint Pack to generate a full IN-THE-COMMISSION pleading with verification clause + the 7-document enclosure list. Print, sign, scan to PDF, and upload at Step 4.
Open Consumer Complaint Pack
3
Pick your forum + select bench

Use the slab table above. Choose District / State / NCDRC based on Total Claim = value of goods/services + compensation claimed. Pick the territorial bench (your home district or where the cause of action arose).
4
Upload PDF + pay court fee

Upload the signed complaint PDF + scanned annexures (bills, receipts, warranty, correspondence). Pay the court fee via NetBanking / UPI / Card. Auto-generated receipt + case-diary number issued.
5
Track your case + appear on hearing date

Log in to e-Daakhil → Case Status → enter your case number. SMS + email notifications for every order. Hearings can be attended in person or via video conference (per the COVID-19 standing order continued in force).

4. Official links + helpline

edaakhil.nic.in

Official filing portal — Department of Consumer Affairs, GoI

National Consumer Helpline 1915

Toll-free 1915 (9.30am–5.30pm). Pre-filing mediation + grievance escalation. INGRAM portal at consumerhelpline.gov.in

ncdrc.nic.in

National Commission home page — cause-lists, judgments, daily orders, Bench composition

Ready to file?

Generate your pleading first — our Consumer Complaint Pack drafts a print-ready IN-THE-COMMISSION pleading with verification clause + 7-document enclosure list. Then come back here, log into edaakhil.nic.in, and upload the signed PDF.

Draft my complaint Open e-Daakhil portal

Disclaimer: KanoonPilot is an informational tool. The court-fee figures and pecuniary slabs above are stated for general guidance under the Consumer Protection Act 2019 + Consumer Protection (Procedure for Filing) Rules 2020 + the 2021 amendment that re-fixed District/State/NCDRC slabs at ₹50 lakh / ₹2 crore. Always verify the latest fee schedule on edaakhil.nic.in or your local Consumer Commission registry before filing.