Over 18K Cases Pending In NCDRC As On July 31, 2026 : Report Before Supreme Court

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) had 18,767 cases pending as on July 31, 2026, according to a report submitted to the Supreme Court after the Court raised concerns over delays in consumer dispute resolution.

The report shows that the NCDRC disposed of 23,268 cases between August 2023 and July 2026. During the same period, the Commission received 19,321 cases, including restored matters, and disposed of 15,810 cases during the period, while 18,767 remained pending at the end of July 2026.

The matter is being dealt with by a bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana in the suo motu proceedings concerning the pay and allowances of members of consumer commissions.

The Court had earlier directed the NCDRC President to submit details of the total pendency, composition and strength of the Commission, its average disposal rate and the estimated time required to clear the pending cases. It had also directed sought information on pendency before State Consumer Commissions.

As per the report, on July 31, the NCDRC had 4,421 original consumer complaints, 4,266 first appeals and 6,947 revision petitions pending. It also had 212 appeal executions, one transfer application, 642 second appeals, 1,935 execution applications, 79 review applications, 222 miscellaneous applications and 21 CCPA appeals pending. There were also 21 pending diary numbers.

The figures show that the largest category of pending matters was revision petitions, followed by consumer complaints and first appeals. Of the 6,947 pending revision petitions, 6,024 related to cases filed in 2026 or earlier years, while 602 were filed in 2025 and 1,145 in 2024.

In consumer complaints, 4,421 cases were pending as on July 31, 2026. The report shows that 81 of these cases were filed in 2026, 148 in 2025, 175 in 2024, 138 in 2023, 1,035 in 2021, 845 in 2019 and 392 in 2017. It also records pending complaints dating back to 1988-2004.

The NCDRC's monthly statement shows that it disposed of 4,895 cases against 1,032 cases instituted or restored between April and July 2026. In July 2026 alone, 411 cases were instituted or restored and 464 were disposed of, leaving 18,767 pending at the end of the month. The overall disposal for the 739 working-day period from August 2023 to July 2026 was 23,268 cases.

The report also gives the disposal figures for individual Benches between August 2023 and July 2026.

The Commission's monthly disposal rate for the period from August 2023 to July 2026 was recorded at 127%, over 739 working days.

The report also sets out changes in the strength of the NCDRC. The sanctioned strength of the NCDRC is 12 members in total – 1 President + 11 Members. It had 12 members, including the President, from August 2, 2023 to October 14, 2024. The strength fell to 11 members from October 15, 2024 to December 14, 2024. It again stood at 12 members from December 15, 2024 to May 23, 2025, before falling to 11 members from May 24 to June 30, 2025.

The Commission had 10 members from July 1, 2025 to April 15, 2026. Since April 16, 2026, it has had nine members, including President Justice A.P. Sahi. The report states that Justice Sudip Ahluwalia and Justice Inder Jit Singh are continuing on extension. Justice Ahluwalia's extension is stated to run until December 30, 2026, while Justice Inder Jit Singh would complete his five-year tenure on August 4, 2027.

The report also contains the NCDRC President's August 22, 2023 proposal for amendments to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the Consumer Protection (Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions) Rules, 2020 to enable the constitution and continuation of Single Member Benches.

The proposal noted that around 23,311 cases were pending before the NCDRC as on July 31, 2023. It said that if Single Member Benches were not constituted, the Commission would have to function with two members in Division Benches, which would lead to a substantial reduction in disposal and increase the time required to clear the pending cases.

Section 58(2) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provides that the jurisdiction, powers and authority of the NCDRC may be exercised by Benches and that a Bench may be constituted by the President with one or more members as the President may deem fit. The NCDRC President proposed amendments to Sections 58(2) and 58(3) and Rule 16 of the 2020 Rules to expressly deal with Single Member Benches.

Background

CJI Surya Kant had referred to a news report about a consumer case filed in 2019 which was listed only once in 2022 and had not received another hearing date even by the middle of 2026 and questioned what kind of specialised forum had been created for consumer redressal if cases were not being heard.

He had also raised concerns about the absence of performance evaluation of members of consumer commissions. He had also questioned whether consumer commissions were becoming a “rehabilitation centre” for retired judges when appointments were not accompanied by accountability.

Amicus Curiae Senior Advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan had agreed that a system of performance evaluation was needed and suggested that a mechanism could be developed with assistance from lawyers appearing before the commissions.

The Court had also suggested increasing the strength of the NCDRC and establishing circuit benches at places where consumer complaints were particularly high.

Case: In Re Pay And Allowance Of The Members Of The U.P. State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission | W.P.(C) No. 1144/2021