The Central Consumer Protection Council is headed by :

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:
The Central Consumer Protection Council (CCPC) is an advisory body established under the Consumer Protection Act (both the 1986 Act and the newer 2019 Act) to promote and protect the rights of consumers. By law, this high-level policy council is chaired by **The Minister Incharge of the Consumer Affairs in the Central Government**. The Minister, as the political head of the department, provides the necessary leadership and policy direction, ensuring the Council’s recommendations are integrated directly into government policy and action plans for consumer welfare and protection.

The incorrect option is 1:
A former judge of the Supreme Court is typically appointed to head the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), which is the apex *quasi-judicial* body for consumer grievance redressal. The NCDRC's role is to hear appeals and major cases, requiring judicial expertise. In contrast, the CCPC is a *consultative and advisory* body whose function is to discuss broad consumer policy issues, not to adjudicate disputes. Therefore, a political office holder, the Minister, is deemed most appropriate to head the advisory and policy-making Council.

The incorrect option is 3:
The Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, is the administrative head and highest-ranking *bureaucrat* within the Ministry. While the Secretary plays a vital role in the Council, often acting as the Member Secretary or Convenor, their position is to facilitate the administrative work and implement policy. The Council’s chairmanship is reserved for the Minister to maintain political accountability and seniority, ensuring the Council's deliberations carry the full weight of the executive government.

The incorrect option is 4:
The Prime Minister of India is the head of the Union Cabinet and the entire Executive branch, and while they oversee all policy, they do not chair every single high-level advisory body. The Consumer Protection Council is a matter delegated to the specific ministry concerned with the subject. Appointing the Minister Incharge of Consumer Affairs as the head allows for effective and focused execution of the council’s agenda without unduly burdening the Prime Minister with the day-to-day sectoral responsibilities.