The Consumer Protection Act, was passed by the Parliament of India on 24th December, 1986. 

The Act consists of a total of 31 sections divided into 4 main chapters: 

The first chapter is titled as Preliminary, the second chapter provides information about the various consumer protection councils established under the Act, the third chapter provides the provisions of the consumer dispute redressal agencies provided by the Act, and the last chapter deals with various miscellaneous aspects of the consumer protection provisions under the Act.

The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 provides the definition of a consumer, in terms of goods purchased or the services availed or hired. 

Section 2(d) of the Act defines a consumer as-

1. Buys any goods for a consideration which has been paid or promised or partly paid and partly promised, or under any system of deferred payment and includes any user of such goods other than the person who buys goods for consideration paid or promised or partly paid or partly promised, or under any any system of deferred payment when such use is made with the approval of such person, but does not include a person who obtains such goods for resale or for any commercial purpose or;
2. Hires or avails of any service for a consideration which has been paid or promised or partly paid or partly promised or under any system of deferred payment and includes any beneficiary of such services other than the person who hires or avails the services for consideration which paid or promised or partly paid and partly poised, or under any system of deferred payment, when such services are availed of with the approval of the first mentioned person. 

The Act has led to the establishment of many councils, for the promotion and protection of the rights of the consumers and also to ensure that they are not exploited by the producers or manufacturers. These councils have been provided at various levels, i.e. district, state and central. 

Section 6 of the same Act, provides the various objectives that are to be fulfilled by the Central Consumer Protection Council, and states that:

"The objets of the Central Council shall be to promote and protect the rights of the consumers such as-

1. The right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property;
2. The right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods, or services as the case maybe, so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices;
3. The right to be assured, wherever possible, access to a variety of good and services at competitive prices;
4. The right to be heard and assured that consumer’s interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums;
5. The right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or restrictive trade practices, or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers; and
6. The right to consumer education.