Students As Consumers: Rights, Risks & Real Fixes — A Practical Guide

Student Consumers: Rights, Risks & Real Fixes — A Practical Guide by PRAN

By Amarjeet Singh | Founder, Public Right Action Network (PRAN)
Published: 01/11/2025

 Student life = freedom + transactions. From PG deposits to canteen food, cab apps to dark-pattern traps — this practical PRAN guide explains common student consumer problems, step-by-step fixes, and how college clubs can turn awareness into action. Don’t just scroll — take control.

Introduction — why students must know consumer rights

College opens up freedom, choices, and — yes — a steady stream of purchases. For many students, this is the first time you manage rent, food, subscriptions, coaching fees and online shopping on your own. That makes you an everyday consumer.

But being a consumer also means being a target: misleading ads, withheld deposits, fake products, unsafe food — these are common. The good news? Most problems are fixable. With a couple of smart habits and a little collective action, students can protect themselves and create a fairer campus marketplace.

Tagline: Don’t just scroll — take control.

Top problems students face (short, real examples)

• Canteen & food safety: stale items, reused oil, no price lists, no FSSAI display.

• PG / hostel trouble: withheld security deposits, verbal-only agreements, hidden charges.

• Coaching & courses: “100% guaranteed” ads, unclear refund policies.

• Online shopping: wrong or fake items, delayed/no refunds, fake reviews.

• Cab/delivery apps: surge pricing, unfair cancellations, slow refunds.

• Telecom & billing: unexpected deductions, poor service despite payment.

• Dark patterns & data: pre-ticked boxes, hidden subscriptions, excessive app permissions.

• Tobacco sales near college: illegal within 100 yards of educational institutes (COTPA breach).

Your legal toolkit — quick primer

• Consumer Protection Act, 2019 — six basic rights (safety, information, choice, heard, redress, education).

• FSSAI — food safety licensing and complaints for unhygienic or unsafe food.

• COTPA, 2003 — prohibits sale of tobacco within 100 yards of schools/colleges.

• CCPA (Central Consumer Protection Authority) — handles misleading ads and systemic issues; can penalize violators.

• Digital Personal Data Protection / DPDP (as applicable) — protects how businesses use your data.

• District Collector & Consumer Commissions — local authorities for escalation and adjudication.

A simple 5-step routine every student should use

1. Document everything. Photos, screenshots, bills, messages — collect proof immediately.

2. Ask the seller/provider first (in writing). Be clear: what happened and what remedy you want (refund, replacement, deposit return). Set a 7-day deadline.

3. Use helplines & portals. Call 1915 (National Consumer Helpline) or use consumerhelpline.gov.in. File formal complaints on edaakhil.nic.in. Food issues → FSSAI app/portal.

4. Public pressure (carefully). A factual social post or a tagged complaint on the brand’s Instagram/Twitter often speeds up resolution — stick to facts to avoid defamation.

5. File formally if needed. e-Daakhil or the District Consumer Commission can provide redress; many small claims don’t need lawyers.

Tagline: Smart consumers don’t complain — they act.

Quick action plans for common campus problems

Canteen & food safety

• Take a photo of the food and kitchen (if possible), keep the bill, and file a report on FSSAI’s portal.

• Ask the college administration to require FSSAI license display and periodical hygiene checks.

PG / Hostel issues

• Never hand over a large deposit without a written agreement. Use a simple checklist (see handout below).

• If deposit is withheld, demand itemised deductions in writing. If unresolved, file a consumer complaint.

Coaching & misleading ads

• Save screenshots of the ad and any claims. If the institute’s promises are untrue, lodge a complaint with CCPA and the District Collector.

Online shopping & apps

• Screenshot product page and seller details. Use app/website chat to request returns. Escalate to the platform’s grievance cell and NCH if needed.

Dark patterns & data privacy

• Screen-record or screenshot UX flows that trick you into purchases. Report deceptive UX to consumerhelpline.gov.in and CCPA if systemic.

Student Consumer Quick Pack

1. Take photos & screenshots (product page, order ID, seller name).

2. Send a written complaint to the seller: include order/room ID, demand, deadline (7 days).

3. Use helpline: 1915 / consumerhelpline.gov.in. File at edaakhil.nic.in if unresolved.

4. Escalate: For systemic issues, email ccpa@nic.in and notify the District Collector.

5. PG checklist before move-in: written agreement, deposit amount & return terms, electricity billing method, food arrangement & hygiene, safety checks (locks, lights, fire exits).

6. Template: (use the copy-paste complaint at the end of this article).

7. Share with your club: collate 5+ similar complaints and send a joint representation to college admin/District Collector.

Complaint template (copy-paste)

To: [seller/support email]  
Date: [dd/mm/yyyy]  
Subject: Complaint — [Order/Service/Room] #[reference]

Hello,  
I purchased/availed [product/service] on [date] via [platform/name]. The issue: [brief description]. Evidence attached: [invoice, screenshots].  
Requested remedy: [refund/replacement/return of deposit] within 7 days.  
If unresolved, I will escalate to the National Consumer Helpline (1915), e-Daakhil and the District Consumer Office.  

Regards,  
[Your name, course, college, contact]

How student clubs can turn awareness into change

Student groups are local powerhouses. Here are small campaigns that work:

• Canteen Hygiene Audit: a quick checklist + photographic evidence + a short report submitted to the Principal.

• PG Watch: map honest vs problematic PGs, publish anonymised feedback.

• Consumer Clinics: monthly sessions to help file e-Daakhil complaints.

• Short videos & reels: how to spot dark patterns, how to file a complaint (60–90 sec clips).

• Joint letters to District Collector and CCPA: collective complaints get faster traction.

PRAN collaboration idea: PRAN can support clubs with legal explainers, complaint templates, and help draft joint representations. PRAN can co-publish a short student zine on campus consumer rights.

Digital safety — 5 things to check before clicking “Agree”

1. What permissions does the app ask for? (Camera, mic, contacts — do they match the app’s purpose?)

2. Are subscriptions pre-ticked? Uncheck them.

3. Does the checkout show breakup of taxes and shipping? If not, question it.

4. Are influencer posts labelled #Ad or #Sponsored? If not, treat the claim with suspicion.

5. Does the app or seller provide a clear grievance address? Save it.

Tagline: Click smart, not hard.

When to seek help from authorities

• FSSAI — repeated food hazards or food poisoning.

• CCPA — repeated misleading ads or platform-wide dark patterns. Email ccpa@nic.in (attach evidence).

• District Collector — for local, systemic problems (tobacco vendors near campus, persistent canteen violations).

• Consumer Commission (e-Daakhil) — for formal claims and compensation.

Final word — small acts, big impact

Students are not only consumers — you’re trendsetters. The habits you build (asking for receipts, refusing single-use plastics, filing an honest complaint) ripple out to shape market behavior. Start small: document once, help a friend once, file a joint complaint once. The market will listen.

If your college or student club wants a short workshop, a complaint-clinic template, or help drafting a joint submission, PRAN is happy to collaborate. Visit our blog: publicrightaction.blogspot.com and drop a note in the comments or use the blog’s contact form.

Final tagline: Your silence is a seller’s profit — speak up.

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Author

Amarjeet Singh— Legal & Policy Expert; Founder, Public Right Action Network (PRAN). Amarjeet works on consumer justice, public health and governance accountability. PRAN publishes easy guides, case explainers and practical toolkits to help citizens use the law for everyday justice. Follow PRAN at publicrightaction.blogspot.com.

#ConsumerRights #StudentConsumers #KnowYourRights #PRAN #AwakenKNC  #ConsumerAwareness #DontJustScrollTakeControl

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