UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Department of Consumer Affairs Prescribes Standard Pack Sizes for Edible Oils under Legal Metrology Framework

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and its predecessor legislation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 replaced the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976.
2. The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 came into force on 1 April 2011.
3. The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 were framed under the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, a "pre-packaged commodity" is best defined as which one of the following?

• A. A commodity placed in a package of predetermined quantity without the purchaser being present
• B. A commodity weighed and packed in the presence of the purchaser at the point of sale
• C. A commodity sold loose by number without being enclosed in any package
• D. A commodity packed exclusively for export outside India

Q3. The uniform standard pack sizes for edible oils and fats prescribed by the Department of Consumer Affairs in June 2026 were issued under which one of the following frameworks?

• A. Legal Metrology Act, 2009 read with the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011
• B. Essential Commodities Act, 1955
• C. Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
• D. Consumer Protection Act, 2019

Q4. With reference to the amended Standard Operating Procedure on standard pack sizes for edible oils, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. It provides a three-month transition period for compliance.
2. It applies to both domestically produced and imported edible oils and fats.
3. Where net quantity is declared in volume, the package must also declare the equivalent weight.
4. It applies only to imported edible oils, exempting all domestically produced oils.

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 1 and 4
• C. 2, 3 and 4
• D. 3 and 4 only

Q5. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), functioning under the Department of Consumer Affairs, is best described as which one of the following?

• A. A statutory body to regulate matters relating to violation of consumer rights, unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements
• B. A statutory tribunal that adjudicates individual consumer disputes at the district level
• C. An advisory council that fixes the prices of essential commodities
• D. A standards body that formulates and certifies Indian Standards for products

Q6. With reference to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and its structure, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The Bureau of Indian Standards functions under the Department of Consumer Affairs.
2. The Legal Metrology (Weights and Measures) regime is administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs.
3. The Ministry comprises two departments.
4. The Central Consumer Protection Authority is administered by the Department of Food and Public Distribution.

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 1 and 4
• C. 2 and 4
• D. 3 and 4 only

Q7. As per the 2022 Department of Consumer Affairs directive on edible oils, in how many forms of measurement must the net quantity be declared on the package?

• A. Two — weight in g/kg and volume in ml/L
• B. One — volume in ml/L only
• C. Three
• D. Four

Q8. The directive requiring edible oil packages to declare net quantity in volume without any temperature qualifier, in addition to weight, was issued by which one of the following authorities?

• A. Department of Consumer Affairs
• B. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
• C. Bureau of Indian Standards
• D. Directorate General of Foreign Trade

Q9. Consider the following pack sizes claimed to be among the standard pack sizes prescribed for edible oils. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

1. 500 ml/g
2. 1 L/kg
3. 10 L/kg
4. 20 L/kg

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 3 only
• C. 2 and 4
• D. 1, 2 and 4

Q10. With reference to the coverage of the standard pack sizes prescribed for edible oils, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Palm oil is among the oils covered by the standard pack sizes.
2. Packages below 200 ml/g are exempt from the standard pack size requirement.
3. Minor oils are covered by the same prescribed standard pack sizes.
4. Mustard oil is among the oils covered.

• A. 1, 2 and 4
• B. 1 and 3
• C. 2 and 3
• D. 3 and 4 only

Q11. With reference to the rationale behind standardising edible oil pack sizes, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Standardisation enables per-unit (unit-price) comparison across brands.
2. Non-uniform packs such as 810 ml and 910 ml hindered price comparison.
3. The measure aims at transparency and fair trade.
4. The primary objective is to fix and cap the maximum retail price of edible oils.

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 1 and 4
• C. 2 and 4
• D. 3 and 4 only

Q12. Consider the following statements regarding the enforcement of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Legal Metrology is enforced jointly by the Centre and the States.
2. Controllers of Legal Metrology are appointed exclusively by the Central Government, with no role for the States.
3. Section 36 of the Act penalises non-standard packages with graduated fines for first and subsequent offences.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3