Centre Tightens E-Commerce Rules

The central government has taken a major step to curb unfair practices by e-commerce companies. It has amended the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, under the ‘Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Amendment Rules, 2026’. The Department of Consumer Affairs said the amendments aim to improve transparency in pricing and sponsored listings while preventing the manipulation of search results and practices known as dark patterns.

The amended e-commerce rules will come into effect from January 1, 2027. The government said the changes are aimed at promoting a transparent and accountable consumer-centric e-commerce ecosystem while continuing to encourage ease of doing business. The amendments are expected to strengthen consumer protection and bring greater transparency to the rapidly growing digital commerce sector.