Section 1 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Section 1 is the opening provision of the Act. It gives the Act its name, says where it extends, lets the Central Government bring it into force by notification (on different dates if needed) and says that it applies to all goods and services unless the Central Government provides otherwise. If you are asking when and to what the Act applies, this section is the starting point, and a short legal consultation can tell you how it affects your own transaction.
The Act may be called the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (1(1)). It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir, as the text reads (1(2)). It comes into force on such date as the Central Government appoints by notification, and different dates may be fixed for different States and different provisions (1(3)). Unless the Central Government expressly provides otherwise by notification, it applies to all goods and services (1(4)).
Section 1 at a glance
| Sub-section | Subject | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| 1(1) | Short title | Consumer Protection Act, 2019 |
| 1(2) | Extent | Whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir |
| 1(3) | Commencement | Date appointed by Central Government notification; different dates allowed |
| 1(4) | Application | All goods and services, save as expressly provided by notification |
Section 1(1): the short title
"This Act may be called the Consumer Protection Act, 2019." The year in the title is 2019 and the Act is numbered 35 of 2019. The number and year matter when you cite the law in a notice or a complaint, because the same subject was earlier governed by an older Act of 1986. The older Act is dealt with in section 107 of this Act; see our article on section 107 when it is published.
Section 1(2): where the Act extends
The sub-section reads: "It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir." That is the wording of the gazette text we have consulted. We have not looked at any later change to this wording, and this article does not describe any. If your dispute involves a place whose status you are unsure about, check the current official text before relying on this line.
Two practical points follow from the plain words:
- Nothing here is limited by the seller's size or the buyer's State. A buyer in Kerala and a seller in Punjab are both within the extent of the Act.
- Extent is not the same as jurisdiction of a particular Commission. Which Commission hears a complaint depends on money limits and place, dealt with in sections 34, 47 and 58. See our article on section 34.
Section 1(3): commencement by notification
Section 1(3) does not give a calendar date. It says the Act "shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification, appoint". Then it adds two things:
- Different dates may be appointed for different States and for different provisions. The Act can therefore be brought into force in stages: some sections first, others later.
- A reference to commencement inside any provision means the date that provision comes into force. The proviso-like closing words say that "any reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the coming into force of that provision."
The text does not print any date. This article therefore states none; the Act was brought into force by notification, and the notification itself is the document to check for the date of any given section. The second point matters in practice. Where a provision refers to the commencement of the Act, a reader would otherwise not know which date to use when different provisions begin on different days. The closing words of section 1(3) answer that.
Example. Suppose a provision of the Act were notified on one day and another provision on a later day. A reference to "commencement of this Act" inside the first provision would be read as that first date, not the later one. For a dispute about when a right began, you would look at the notification for the particular section you rely on.
Section 1(4): all goods and services
"Save as otherwise expressly provided by the Central Government, by notification, this Act shall apply to all goods and services." So the starting position is wide. Anything that is "goods" or "service" as defined in section 2 is inside the Act. Two things follow:
- The Central Government can carve out goods or services, but only expressly and only by notification. Silence or custom does not exempt a seller.
- The Act's definitions decide what is inside. For instance, a "service" under section 2(42) does not include a service rendered without charge or under a contract of personal service. See our article on the definitions of goods and service.
| Question | What section 1 says | Where to look next |
|---|---|---|
| Is a sale of a mobile phone covered? | Goods; the Act applies to all goods | Section 2(21) for "goods" |
| Is a bank, insurer or telecom provider covered? | Services; the Act applies to all services | Section 2(42) for "service" |
| Does the Act apply in every State? | Whole of India except Jammu and Kashmir, as printed | Official text and notifications |
| From which date does section X apply? | Date appointed by notification for that provision | The commencement notification |
What the text leaves out
Section 1 does not list the goods or services that may be exempted, and it does not say how many notifications there are or what they contain. It does not say whether a transaction made before a provision came into force is covered; that depends on the notification and on the savings in section 107. It also does not say who may complain, which is the work of section 2 and section 35.
Need help with a consumer matter?
If you are not sure whether your purchase or service falls under the Act, or which provision applies to a transaction that began some time ago, it helps to have the papers read by someone who knows the Act. You can book a legal consultation and bring the bill, the contract and any correspondence.
Key takeaways
- The Act is cited as the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
- It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir, as printed in the text consulted.
- It was brought into force by Central Government notification; different dates may apply to different States and provisions.
- A reference to commencement in any provision means the coming into force of that provision.
- The Act covers all goods and services unless the Central Government expressly provides otherwise by notification.
Read next
- Section 2: definitions of consumer, complainant, complaint and consumer rights
- Sections 3-5: Central Consumer Protection Council
- Consumer Protection Act 2019: Complete Guide to Rights, Forums and Remedies
- Introduction to Consumer Protection Act 2019
Disclaimer: Based on the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 as enacted, as consulted on 1 October 2026. Monetary limits, fees and procedure are set or revised by rules and regulations made under the Act and should be checked in their current form. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.