Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Earlier, the burden of being careful while buying goods or services rested entirely on the consumer. If dissatisfied, consumers simply avoided that shop or brand — there was no legal protection against exploitation.

The consumer movement, which arose from problems like food adulteration, hoarding, and black marketing in the 1960s, built awareness and pressured both businesses and the government to ensure quality. Responsibility for providing quality goods was shifted onto the sellers.

The most significant legislative outcome was the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (COPRA) by the Indian government, which gave consumers a legal framework for redressal.

Source: Consumer Movement, Chapter 5

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• The question has two parts: (1) how the movement changed the situation, and (2) the most significant legislative outcome. Address both.
• Key shift to mention: responsibility moved from buyer to seller.
• COPRA 1986 is the landmark outcome — always name it fully with the year.
• Keep causes brief (adulteration, hoarding, black marketing) — don't over-expand for a 3-mark answer.
• Examiners look for the contrast between the old situation and the new one, plus COPRA as the specific outcome.