Consumer courts facing shortage of staff, leaders

NEW NATIONWIDEASSESSMENT BY THE INDIA JUSTICE REPORT

- YARUQHULLAH KHAN

THE COUNTRY'S CONSUMER dispute redressal system is operating with serious gaps in leadership, staffing, and data transparency despite rising caseloads, according to a new nationwide assessment by the India Justice Report (IJR).

“More than half of the president and member positions in India’s State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (SCDRCs) remained vacant in 2025, contributing to a 21% rise in overall case pendency over five years,’ the report said, adding that amongst the large and mid-sized states, only Bihar and Haryana filled both member and president posts.

In 2025, 17 of the 35 state commissions were without a president, and 40% of the sanctioned member positions remained vacant. Furthermore, while regulations stipulate that every district must have a commission, one in ten districts is currently without one, indicating a concerning gap in governance.