The Department of Consumer Affairs has updated the rules governing online shopping platforms to give customers stronger protections and clearer information. The Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) (Amendment) Rules, 2026 will take effect from January 1, 2027 and apply to all e-commerce websites and marketplaces operating in India.
In 2025 alone, the National Consumer Helpline recorded over 17 lakh complaints, with nearly 29 per cent coming from online shoppers. The new amendments aim to address growing concerns about misleading practices and hidden charges in digital retail.
What the new rules require
E-commerce platforms must now:
- Give you a written copy of any complaint you file with them
- Stop manipulating search results in ways that hide relevant products or mislead you
- Clearly mark any sponsored or paid listings separate from organic results
- Display both the original and reduced price when offering discounts, where the original price is the lowest amount charged in the 30 days before the sale
- Follow anti-dark pattern guidelines and publish a yearly compliance certificate
- Show important details like expiry dates, return policies, warranty information and delivery timelines before you buy
- Obtain your clear permission before using your personal information for any purpose
- Stop bundling unrelated charges together unless they are part of a membership programme
- Reveal importer details and country of origin for all imported goods
Platforms must also connect with the National Consumer Helpline to make filing complaints easier.
What this means for you
You will have more transparency when shopping online and better tools to compare prices fairly. Websites cannot hide legitimate products in search results to push you toward certain sellers, and you will know which listings are paid advertisements. If a seller claims a discount, you can verify it against the actual price history. You also get stronger protection over your personal data and clearer information to make informed buying choices before payment.