Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Under COPRA, consumers can now file complaints online and attend hearings through video conferencing. This directly addresses one of the biggest challenges in consumer redressal in India — the process being cumbersome, expensive, and time-consuming.

The underlying problem is that physical filing requires consumers to visit commissions, engage lawyers, and attend multiple proceedings in person. This discourages ordinary consumers, especially those in remote areas or with small grievances, from seeking justice.

Online filing and video conferencing reduce travel costs, save time, and make the system more accessible. They help bridge the gap between consumer rights existing on paper and consumers actually being able to exercise those rights.

However, the broader challenge remains — consumer awareness is still spreading slowly, and active participation of consumers themselves is essential for the movement to be truly effective.

Source: Consumer Rights, Chapter 5 — "Where Should Consumers Go to Get Justice?" and "Taking the Consumer Movement Forward"

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• The examiner expects you to link the specific change (online filing/video conferencing) → the identified problem (cumbersome, expensive, time-consuming process) → the broader challenge (gap between rights and access).
• Do not just describe COPRA amendments; show cause-effect reasoning.
• The textbook explicitly states the redressal process is "becoming cumbersome, expensive and time consuming" and that consumers "are required to engage lawyers" — quote or paraphrase these for full marks.
• End with the larger point that laws alone aren't enough; consumer awareness and participation matter. This shows holistic understanding and often earns the final mark.