District, State or National Commission — choosing the right forum
Not sure where to file your consumer complaint? Learn the 2026 limits for District, State and National Commissions, with a simple forum finder and flowchart.
In India there are three consumer commissions: District, State and National. If you file in the wrong one, your complaint can be sent back or rejected, and you lose time. This guide shows you how to pick the right one in under a minute.
- The forum depends on the amount you paid, not the compensation you ask for.
- Up to ₹50 lakh: District. ₹50 lakh to ₹2 crore: State. Above ₹2 crore: National.
- Most everyday cases go to the District Commission.
The simple rule
| Commission | Amount you paid for the goods or service |
|---|---|
| District Commission | Up to ₹50 lakh |
| State Commission | More than ₹50 lakh, up to ₹2 crore |
| National Commission (NCDRC) | More than ₹2 crore |
These limits come from the Consumer Protection (Jurisdiction of the District Commission, the State Commission and the National Commission) Rules, 2021. The Supreme Court upheld this “amount paid” method in 2025.
Find your forum
Flowchart
Which city or district?
After you pick the level, you also need the right place. You can usually file where:
- the company (opposite party) lives, works or has an office, or
- the problem fully or partly happened, or
- you live or work.
So you can often file in your own city, even if the company is far away.
How to file
Complaints are filed online on the e-Jagriti portal (e-jagriti.gov.in), which replaced e-Daakhil from 1 January 2025. At the District level, complaints with value up to ₹5 lakh have no filing fee. Fees for higher amounts are small and set by the rules, so please check the portal for the current table.
Real examples
| What you bought | Amount paid | Where to file |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile phone | ₹60,000 | District |
| Online course or coaching fees | ₹1.5 lakh | District |
| Flat booking | ₹75 lakh | State |
| Big housing project | ₹3 crore | National |
Most people with phones, bank issues, insurance, delivery problems or online shopping will file in the District Commission.
What if you paid in parts?
Add up everything you paid for that same product or service. For example, if you paid ₹40 lakh for a flat and later paid ₹20 lakh more, the total is ₹60 lakh. That puts you in the State Commission, not the District one.
Before you file: a quick check
- Do you know the total amount paid?
- Have you checked that you are within 2 years of the problem?
- Do you have the company’s address and your payment proof?
- Have you picked the right city or district?
3 common mistakes
- Using the compensation amount to choose the forum. Use the amount paid.
- Adding up wrongly. If you paid in parts, add all the payments.
- Filing too high thinking it looks more serious. It does not. It can get your complaint rejected.
Common questions
Which consumer court should I go to for a ₹10 lakh claim?
If you paid ₹10 lakh or less for the product or service, you file in the District Commission. The forum depends on the amount paid, not the compensation you want.
Is the forum decided by compensation or by the amount paid?
By the amount paid as consideration for the goods or service, under the 2021 Jurisdiction Rules.
What happens if I file in the wrong commission?
The commission can return or reject your complaint, so you may lose time. You may need to file again in the right place, and the 2-year limit still applies.
Can I file a consumer complaint online?
Yes. Complaints can be filed on the e-Jagriti portal for District, State and National Commissions.
Where can I appeal if I lose at the District Commission?
You can appeal to the State Commission within 45 days of the order.
This article is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Laws and fees can change, so please check the latest rules or talk to a lawyer before you act.