UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Consumer Affairs Ministry to probe online platforms’ cancellation charges policy

Q1. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) functions under which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
  • B. Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • C. Ministry of Corporate Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Q2. The provision empowering the CCPA to impose penalties on endorsers of misleading advertisements was introduced under which one of the following?

  • A. Consumer Protection Act, 2019
  • B. Consumer Protection Act, 1986
  • C. Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020
  • D. Competition Act, 2002

Q3. In the context of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the term 'unfair trade practice' most precisely refers to:

  • A. a trade practice that, for promoting the sale, use or supply of goods or the provision of a service, adopts any unfair method or unfair or deceptive practice
  • B. any practice that restricts or lessens competition and manipulates prices in a market
  • C. the manufacture or sale of goods that fail to conform to the specifications laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standards
  • D. the failure of a product manufacturer to compensate a consumer for harm caused by a defective product

Q4. With reference to the 2026 investigation into cancellation charges by online ticket-booking platforms, which of the following is/are correctly stated?

  1. The probe was directed by the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi.
  2. It concerns excessive cancellation charges allegedly levied by online ticket-booking platforms beyond what airlines charge or disclose at booking.
  3. The investigation is being carried out by the Department of Consumer Affairs and the CCPA.
  4. The directive invokes the investigative and class-action powers available under the Competition Act, 2002.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. The 'Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023' were issued by which one of the following authorities?

  • A. Central Consumer Protection Authority
  • B. Bureau of Indian Standards
  • C. Competition Commission of India
  • D. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

Q6. Within the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the Department of Consumer Affairs is best described as the department that:

  • A. administers consumer protection, legal metrology and standards-setting bodies such as the Bureau of Indian Standards
  • B. handles foodgrain procurement, storage and the operation of the public distribution system
  • C. is responsible for implementing the National Food Security Act
  • D. manages the food subsidy and central buffer stock operations