Section 47 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 47 sets out what the State Commission can hear. As enacted, it entertains complaints where the value of the goods or services paid as consideration exceeds rupees one crore but does not exceed rupees ten crore, complaints against unfair contracts up to ten crore rupees, and appeals against orders of District Commissions in the State. It can also call for records of any District Commission and correct jurisdictional errors. The section further covers benches, split opinions and where complaints can be filed. If you are working out the right forum, a consumer complaint filing review can check the value and place.
As enacted, the State Commission entertains complaints where the consideration paid exceeds rupees one crore but does not exceed rupees ten crore, with power for the Central Government to prescribe another value (47(1)(a)(i)); complaints against unfair contracts where the consideration does not exceed ten crore rupees (47(1)(a)(ii)); and appeals against District Commission orders in the State (47(1)(a)(iii)). It may call for records and pass appropriate orders where a District Commission has acted without, or failed to exercise, jurisdiction or acted illegally or with material irregularity (47(1)(b)). The limits in force today should be checked in the rules.
Section 47 at a glance
| Provision | Subject | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| 47(1)(a)(i) | Original complaints | Value paid exceeds rupees one crore but does not exceed rupees ten crore (as enacted) |
| Proviso | Power to prescribe | Central Government may prescribe another value |
| 47(1)(a)(ii) | Unfair contracts | Value paid does not exceed ten crore rupees |
| 47(1)(a)(iii) | Appeals | Against orders of any District Commission within the State |
| 47(1)(b) | Revision | Call for records and pass appropriate orders |
| 47(2) | Benches | President constitutes; senior-most member presides |
| 47(3) | Difference of opinion | Majority; if equal, reference to the President |
| 47(4) | Place of filing | Four limbs, like section 34(2) |
Section 47(1)(a): what the State Commission hears
(i) Complaints by value, as enacted. "Complaints where the value of the goods or services paid as consideration, exceeds rupees one crore, but does not exceed rupees ten crore". The proviso: "where the Central Government deems it necessary so to do, it may prescribe such other value, as it deems fit." The Central Government therefore has power to prescribe other values by rules, and the limits currently in force should be checked in the rules; this article states no revised figure. The lower end matches the District Commission's upper limit under section 34(1); see our article on section 34. For the next band up, see our article on section 58. A site overview of all bands is at Pecuniary Jurisdiction: Which Forum to Approach.
(ii) Complaints against unfair contracts. "Complaints against unfair contracts, where the value of goods or services paid as consideration does not exceed ten crore rupees". Note that this limb has no lower limit: a complaint against an unfair contract can come to the State Commission even where the value is within the District Commission's band, up to ten crore rupees as enacted. "Unfair contract" is defined in section 2(46); see our article on the section 2 definitions. The proviso about prescribing another value is printed under limb (i); the text does not say expressly whether it also governs limb (ii), so this is another reason to check the rules.
(iii) Appeals. "Appeals against the orders of any District Commission within the State". The appeal route is section 41; see our article on sections 40-41.
| Value paid as consideration (as enacted) | Forum |
|---|---|
| Not exceeding one crore rupees | District Commission (34(1)) |
| Exceeding one crore but not exceeding ten crore rupees | State Commission (47(1)(a)(i)) |
| Complaint against an unfair contract, not exceeding ten crore rupees | State Commission (47(1)(a)(ii)) |
Example. A buyer pays three crore rupees for goods, on the figures as enacted: the complaint belongs before the State Commission. A complaint that a contract's terms are unfair, even at a value of two lakh rupees, also comes to the State Commission under 47(1)(a)(ii). Check the rules for current values.
Section 47(1)(b): calling for records
The State Commission may "call for the records and pass appropriate orders in any consumer dispute which is pending before or has been decided by any District Commission within the State, where it appears to the State Commission that such District Commission has exercised a jurisdiction not vested in it by law, or has failed to exercise a jurisdiction so vested or has acted in exercise of its jurisdiction illegally or with material irregularity."
Three grounds:
- Exercising a jurisdiction not vested in it by law.
- Failing to exercise a jurisdiction that is vested.
- Acting illegally or with material irregularity in exercising jurisdiction.
It reaches disputes both pending and decided. It is a supervisory power, separate from the appeal in 47(1)(a)(iii).
Section 47(2): benches
"The jurisdiction, powers and authority of the State Commission may be exercised by Benches thereof, and a Bench may be constituted by the President with one or more members as the President may deem fit". The proviso: "the senior-most member shall preside over the Bench." So the President chooses the bench strength (one or more members), and the senior-most member presides over it. The text does not say that the President must sit on every bench, unlike section 36(1) for a District Commission; see our article on section 36.
Section 47(3): difference of opinion
"Where the members of a Bench differ in opinion on any point, the points shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority, if there is a majority, but if the members are equally divided, they shall state the point or points on which they differ, and make a reference to the President who shall either hear the point or points himself or refer the case for hearing on such point or points by one or more of the other members and such point or points shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority of the members who have heard the case, including those who first heard it". The proviso: the President or the other members "shall give opinion on the point or points so referred within a period of one month from the date of such reference."
| Situation | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Majority exists | Majority opinion decides |
| Equal division | Points stated and referred to the President |
| President's choice | Hears the points himself or refers to one or more other members |
| Deciding opinion | Majority of those who have heard the case, including the first members |
| Time | One month from reference |
Section 47(4): where to file
"A complaint shall be instituted in a State Commission within the limits of whose jurisdiction" any of four limbs applies, mirroring section 34(2):
- (a) the opposite party, or each of several, ordinarily resides, carries on business, has a branch office or personally works for gain;
- (b) any of several opposite parties actually and voluntarily resides, carries on business, has a branch office or personally works for gain, with the permission of the State Commission;
- (c) the cause of action, wholly or in part, arises; or
- (d) the complainant resides or personally works for gain.
The seat of the Commission is in section 42(2); see our article on sections 42-46.
What section 47 leaves out
- No rule on measuring value where consideration is part paid or part promised.
- No statement whether the proviso on prescribing another value extends to limb (ii).
- No time limit for the supervisory power in 47(1)(b).
Need help choosing the right forum?
Wrong forum means lost time and cost. We can check the value paid, the unfair contract angle and the place of filing, then prepare the complaint. Start with consumer complaint filing and bring the contract, payment records and any earlier order.
Key takeaways
- As enacted, the State Commission hears complaints where consideration exceeds rupees one crore but does not exceed rupees ten crore.
- Unfair contract complaints up to ten crore rupees come to the State Commission (no lower limit stated).
- It hears appeals against District Commission orders in the State and can call for records on jurisdictional errors.
- Benches are constituted by the President; the senior-most member presides; a split is decided by majority or referred to the President.
- Check the rules for the limits in force; the Central Government may prescribe other values.
Read next
- Section 34: jurisdiction of the District Commission
- Sections 48-50: transfer of cases, procedure and review by the State Commission
- Section 58: jurisdiction of the National Commission
- Pecuniary Jurisdiction: Which Forum to Approach
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.