If you are also fond of online shopping sitting at home, then this news is very useful for you. To further strengthen the interests of online shopping customers, the Central Government has issued Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Amendment Rules, 2026.
These new rules will be fully implemented across the country from January 1, 2027. The main objective of the government through these rules is to make the prices, advertisements, search results and redressal of customer complaints in online shopping very transparent and clean.
Now the game of fake discount will not work
Often huge discounts are offered in online sales, but under the new rules it will no longer be easy to do so. If the price of an item is reduced, the e-commerce platform will be required to disclose the reduced price as well as its previous price.
Here the previous price would mean the lowest price of that product in the market during the last 30 days. With this new rule, it will be easier for customers to understand the real status of any offer or discount and they will be saved from falling into any deception.
There will be a strict vigil on sponsored products and search results
It has now been made mandatory for companies on online platforms to clearly display any product being promoted for payment with a 'Sponsored' label. Additionally, companies will no longer be able to manipulate search results in a way that results in confusing or less relevant results for a customer.
Complaint resolution and complete product information
Under the new provisions, now all e-commerce companies will be required to connect with the National Consumer Helpline (NCH). There is also a provision in the new rules that as soon as a complaint is received from the customer, it will have to be confirmed within 48 hours and a copy of the complaint will also have to be given.
Not only this, it will be mandatory to resolve every complaint within a month. Additionally, sellers must clearly provide all information regarding returns, refunds, exchanges, warranties, delivery and payment methods for their items. If any goods have been imported from abroad, then the name of the country and complete information of the importer will also have to be made clearly available on it.
Government also keeps a close eye on dark patterns
To curb the practices that mislead customers, e-commerce companies will have to completely follow the guidelines of 2023 related to 'Dark Pattern'. Additionally, companies will also have to self-audit their website or platform every year. The main objective of all these new rules is to protect customers from misleading digital methods during online shopping and to provide them with all the necessary information with transparency.