The Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI) is a nonprofit consumer organization established in India in 1966 to protect and educate the Indian consumer about sub-standard products and services, adulterated foods, short weights and measures, spurious and hazardous drugs, exorbitant prices, endemic shortages leading to black marketing and profiteering, unfulfilled manufacture guarantees, and a host of other problems.
This outrage energized nine women to organize a movement to fight for consumer rights and to form the CGSI in 1966.
CGSI's constant follow-up was instrumental in enacting the "Consumer Protection Act 1986" by the Government of India.
These topics included under the existing subjects like Civics, Economics and Home science, are project-based, and more practical in nature than theoretical or examination oriented.
In the years 2005–06 and 2006–07, CGSI conducted consumer clubs in 25 schools each in Thane & Raigad District with the help of Maharashtra State Government.
complaints cover medical/surgical malpractice and negligence; insurance non-payment; sub-standard drugs and medicines; home remedies; defective household appliances; poor quality foods and drinks; misleading advertising claims; and grievances concerning investments, real estate, insurance, telephones, electricity supply, etc.
CGSI handled over 400 complaints during the year through personal counseling sessions, correctly guiding complainants, sometimes even clearly saying that they do not have a case to fight for without wrongfully leading them on.
Many other products were tested and reports published in the society's monthly Journal, KEEMAT: edible oils, powdered spices, 'surma' (kohl), geysers, clinical thermometers, plastic water bottles, rubber teats, milk, mineral water, breads, soft drinks, bath soaps, fabric detergents, and toothpastes.
CGSI has also produced a number of consumer guides on subjects like electrical appliances, edible oils, pesticides, food, adulteration, safety at home, safe blood, etc.
With the number of queries and requests increasing steadily, and the eagerness to cover more and more consumers, CGSI is also conducting educational seminars in other states like Bihar, Jharkhand and Delhi apart from Maharashtra.
During the last few years, CGSI is conducting nearly 250 seminars each on Telecom, Banking, Financial Awareness, Food Safety etc.