Section 17B and Section 18 of Consumer Protection Act 1986: Circuit Benches and State Commission Procedure

Sections 17B and 18 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 dealt respectively with the places where a State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission could function and the procedure applicable to State Commissions. The 1986 Act has been repealed and replaced by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The subject matter is now principally covered by Sections 42, 47 and 49 of the 2019 Act, read with the rules and regulations made under that Act.

Current-law note: This page retains the historical text and subject of Sections 17B and 18 because the existing URL concerns the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. For present proceedings, refer to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the rules and regulations currently in force.

Former Section 17B: Circuit Benches

Section 17B of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 provided for the place of functioning of the State Commission. In substance, the State Commission ordinarily functioned at the State capital, but could perform its functions at another place notified by the State Government in consultation with the State Commission.

Meaning: The provision enabled consumer adjudication by the State Commission at notified places outside the State capital, thereby allowing the State-level redressal mechanism to function closer to consumers where the Government formally notified such arrangements.

Current corresponding provision: Section 42 of Consumer Protection Act 2019

Section 42 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 concerns the establishment of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. Under Section 42(2), a State Commission ordinarily functions at the State capital and may perform its functions at other places notified by the State Government in consultation with the State Commission. The provision also expressly permits the State Government to establish regional benches of the State Commission by notification.

Practical effect: The 2019 Act uses the concept of regional benches and gives an express statutory basis for their establishment. The actual places and functioning of such benches depend on the applicable State Government notifications.

Former Section 18: Procedure applicable to State Commissions

Section 18 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 applied the complaint-disposal provisions governing District Forums under Sections 12, 13 and 14, together with the rules made under those provisions, to disputes before the State Commission with necessary modifications.

Meaning: The State Commission did not operate under an entirely separate complaint procedure. The procedural framework used for complaints before the District Forum was adapted, where necessary, for proceedings before the State Commission.

Current corresponding provision: Section 49 of Consumer Protection Act 2019

Section 49 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 now governs the procedure applicable to the State Commission. Section 49(1) applies the provisions relating to complaints under Sections 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39, with necessary modifications, to the disposal of complaints by the State Commission. Section 49(2) additionally empowers the State Commission to declare a term of a contract that is unfair to a consumer to be null and void.

Benches and jurisdiction under Section 47

Section 47 of the 2019 Act deals with the jurisdiction of the State Commission. It also provides that the jurisdiction, powers and authority of a State Commission may be exercised by its Benches. The President may constitute a Bench with one or more members, subject to the statutory provisions governing its composition and decision-making.

The monetary jurisdiction of consumer commissions is also affected by the Consumer Protection (Jurisdiction of the District Commission, the State Commission and the National Commission) Rules, 2021. Users should therefore verify the current jurisdictional limits before filing a complaint.

Procedure rules and regulations now applicable

Proceedings before Consumer Commissions are supplemented by the Consumer Protection (Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions) Rules, 2020 and the Consumer Protection (Consumer Commission Procedure) Regulations, 2020, as amended from time to time. These instruments deal with procedural matters such as institution and scrutiny of cases, notices, hearings, adjournments, orders, certified copies and related Commission procedure.

Key points

Sections 17B and 18 belong to the repealed Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
The present statutory framework is the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Section 42(2) of the 2019 Act covers the State Commission's place of functioning and regional benches.
Section 47 covers State Commission jurisdiction and the exercise of powers through Benches.
Section 49 applies the current complaint procedure to State Commission complaints with necessary modifications.
Current rules, regulations and State-specific notifications should be checked before filing or relying on a particular bench arrangement.

Updated: 20 September 2026. This article is for legal information and should be read with the current Act, rules, regulations and applicable notifications.