International Journal of Commerce and Management Research

Any individual who purchases products or services for his personal use and not for manufacturing or resale is called a consumer. A consumer is one who is the decision maker whether to buy or not to buy an item. Consumers form the largest economic group in any country. They are the pivots of all economic activities. It is often said that the consumer is king, but in reality consumers are treated very badly in the market. The consumers are cheated in different ways by middlemen like adulteration, under-weight of goods, selling goods of inferior quality and duplicated goods, charging higher prices, misleading advertisement in the media, etc. The consumers are not sure of getting qualitative goods manufactured and preserved in hygienic condition and at competitive prices. The most important step in consumer education is making them aware about consumer rights and to empower them for self protection from the unscrupulous businessmen.

Education is a lifelong process of constantly acquiring relevant information, knowledge and skills. Consumer education is an important part of this process. Consumer education at the college level is an important process to enhance the capacity of the youth particularly the students to take the responsibility for their own life, their family, obligations to society and the environment. Consumer education helps the students to participate in the social life, as competent citizens. Students are not only learn about the consumer rights and duties but also teach their parents and the community, thereby they are enriching the society.