Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Earlier Assumption: It was presumed that it was the responsibility of consumers to be careful while buying a commodity or service. If a consumer was unhappy with a product or shop, they simply avoided buying that brand or stopped visiting that shop. There was no legal system available to protect consumers from exploitation.

How the Consumer Movement Challenged This Assumption: The consumer movement, through organised groups, awareness campaigns, and advocacy, shifted the responsibility of ensuring quality of goods and services onto the sellers. It pressured businesses and the government to correct unfair trade practices, ultimately leading to the enactment of COPRA (Consumer Protection Act, 1986), which gave consumers legal rights and redressal mechanisms.

Source: Consumer Movement, Chapter 5

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• The examiner expects two clear parts: the old assumption (buyer's responsibility/caveat emptor idea) and how the movement challenged it (shifted responsibility to sellers + legal protection).
• Quote or closely paraphrase the textbook: "It was presumed that it was the responsibility of consumers to be careful" and "shifted the responsibility… on the sellers."
• Mentioning COPRA adds a concrete example that earns the third mark.
• Keep both parts balanced — don't write too much on one and skip the other.