Charged Above MRP? How to Complain in India (2026)
If a packaged product was sold to you above the MRP printed on it, Rule 18(2) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 says that is not allowed. Here is the complaint path, step by step, and what MRP does not cover.
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Charged above MRP: what the rule says and where to complain
Short answer
For a pre-packed product, Rule 18(2) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 says no retail dealer or other person shall sell it at a price exceeding the retail sale price, which is the MRP printed on the pack. If that happened to you, keep proof, ask the seller to correct it, then complain to the National Consumer Helpline (1915, 8AM to 8PM) or through a consumer commission. This is information, not legal advice.
Last checked 20 Oct 2026
We read the Rules, the National Consumer Helpline site and the e-Jagriti pages on 20 October 2026. Government sites change, so confirm numbers and limits on the official page before you act.
What the rule actually says
The Rules define "retail sale price" as the maximum price at which a commodity in packaged form may be sold to the consumer, printed on the package as "Maximum or Max. retail price Rs ... inclusive of all taxes" or "MRP Rs ... incl. of all taxes" (rule 2(m)).
Legal Metrology Rules, 2011Rule 18(2) then says: "No retail dealer or other person including manufacturer, packer, importer and wholesale dealer shall make any sale of any commodity in packed form at a price exceeding the retail sale price thereof."
Two limits follow from the wording. It covers commodities in packed form, so it is about packaged goods with an MRP on the pack. And it sets a ceiling: it does not promise a discount, and it does not say anything about what a product sold for last week. For that, see MRP vs selling price.
Step-by-step complaint path
- Confirm it is an overcharge. Find the MRP printed on the pack and compare it with the price on your bill or order page. Check that the pack is a packaged commodity and that the MRP has not been revised by a sticker. The Rules allow a sticker with a lower revised MRP.
- Collect proof. Photograph the pack so the MRP is readable, keep the bill or invoice, and take a dated screenshot if you ordered online. See the list below.
- Ask the seller or store first. Show them the printed MRP and the amount you were charged, and ask for the difference back. Do this in writing (message or email) so it is on record.
- Use the National Consumer Helpline. The NCH site lists toll-free 1915 (8AM to 8PM) and WhatsApp +918800001915. It also offers an online portal, an NCH mobile app and the UMANG app to register a grievance, and a way to track it and upload documents.
The site names its mechanism NCH INGRAM, "Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism", integrated with WhatsApp. 5. Check your state's Legal Metrology (weights and measures) department. Some state Legal Metrology departments have their own grievance process, and methods differ. For example, the Delhi department's site has a "Grievance Lodging and Redressal" section. We could not verify a single national complaint form, so look up your own state.
Department of Legal Metrology, Delhi- Escalate to a consumer commission if needed. Vikaspedia, crediting the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, says the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provides for e-filing of complaints and online fee payment, and that the e-Jagriti portal (earlier e-Daakhil) lets consumers or their advocates file online. It lists the District Commission for up to Rs 50 lakh, the State Commission above Rs 50 lakh up to Rs 2 crore, and the National Commission above Rs 2 crore, by the value paid as consideration.
The portal itself is at e-jagriti.gov.in. Fees, time limits and outcomes depend on your case, so read the portal's current instructions or ask a lawyer.
We have not found a source that promises a result or a timeline for any of these steps, so we do not give one.
What evidence to keep
- A clear photo of the pack showing the printed MRP, the batch details and the product name.
- The bill, invoice or order confirmation showing the amount you paid.
- For online orders, a screenshot with the date and time visible, of the listing, the cart and the order page.
- Name and address of the store, or the seller name and order number online.
- Your written message to the seller and any reply.
- Any helpline grievance number you receive.
Online and offline: what we can and cannot say
Rule 18(2) is worded for "any sale" of a packed commodity by a retail dealer or other person, and the text we read does not name a sales channel. We did not verify whether any other rule treats online and shop sales differently, so we do not claim one does. In practice the main difference is proof: in a shop you hold the pack and a bill, online you rely on screenshots and the order record, so capture them on the day.
What MRP does not cover
- A discount being "real". A struck-through price, a "was" price or a "70% off" badge is a separate question from the MRP ceiling. A seller can charge below MRP and still show a discount against a price that was rarely charged. See is that discount real? and the real price of a product in India.
- Unpackaged goods. Rule 18(2) applies to commodities in packed form.
- Whether the price will fall. MRP is a ceiling, not a forecast.
About HAULS
HAULS is not publicly available yet, and nothing here is based on HAULS price data. This page is a plain summary of public sources, not a legal opinion.
Corrections
Last checked 20 October 2026. Corrections so far: none. If you find an error, tell us through the about page.
Questions
Is it illegal to charge more than MRP in India?
For a pre-packed commodity covered by the Rules, yes. The Rules exempt some packs, so check them for yours. Rule 18(2) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 says no retail dealer or other person shall sell a commodity in packed form at a price exceeding the retail sale price, which is the MRP on the pack. This is information, not legal advice.
Which number do I call to complain about being charged above MRP?
The National Consumer Helpline's website lists a toll-free number, 1915, marked 8AM to 8PM, and a WhatsApp number, +918800001915. It also lists an online portal, a mobile app and the UMANG app for registering a grievance.
Does the MRP rule apply to online orders?
Rule 18(2) is worded for any sale of a commodity in packed form by a retail dealer or other person, and does not name a sales channel. We did not verify channel-specific rules, so check the rule text and the helpline if your order was online.
Is a fake discount the same as being charged above MRP?
No. Being charged above MRP means paying more than the printed maximum on a packaged product. Whether a discount is real, such as a struck-through price that was never charged, is a separate question and is not what Rule 18(2) covers.
Where do I file a case at a consumer commission?
The e-Jagriti portal (earlier e-Daakhil) is described by Vikaspedia as the online way to file complaints with consumer commissions, including paying the fee online. Vikaspedia lists the District Commission for goods or services paid for up to Rs 50 lakh. Check the current limits before filing.
MRP se jyada charge kiya to kya kare?
Pehle pack par chhapa MRP aur apna bill ya screenshot saath rakhein, phir dukaan ya seller se likhit mein poochhein. Jawab na mile to National Consumer Helpline par 1915 (8AM to 8PM) par call karein ya consumerhelpline.gov.in par grievance register karein. Yeh jankari hai, kanooni salah nahi.
MRP se zyada bechne par complaint kahan kare?
National Consumer Helpline (1915, WhatsApp +918800001915, ya consumerhelpline.gov.in) par complaint ki ja sakti hai. Bada vivad ho to e-Jagriti portal par consumer commission mein case file kiya ja sakta hai. Legal Metrology vibhag ka process rajya ke hisaab se alag ho sakta hai, apne rajya ki site dekhein.
MRP kya hota hai?
MRP ka matlab Maximum Retail Price hai: packaged product par chhapa woh sabse zyada daam jis par use consumer ko bechna allowed hai, sabhi taxes sahit. Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 ise "retail sale price" kehte hain.
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