MAM
22% of consumer complaints in India related to e-commerce sector
NEW DELHI: With the outbreak of the Covid2019 pandemic, e-commerce quickly became one of the most preferred modes of shopping in the country. A survey conducted by LocalCircles revealed that safety, competitive prices and ease of returns ranked as the top reasons for shoppers to trust in e-tailers. However, there are also frequent instances of buyers getting the shorter end of the stick. According to information shared by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), 22 per cent of all complaints received from Indian consumers are related to e-commerce platforms.
During an interaction on the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day, DCA secretary Leena Nandan has informed that on an average, 70,000 complaints are registered with the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) every month. Out of this, 22 per cent grievances are related to the online retail sector.
“However, the majority of e-commerce companies are now coming around to maintain compliance with consumer rights, and therefore, provide accordingly redressal to the consumers," said Nandan.
Other sectors which constitute a big chunk of the number of grievances include banking (8.6 per cent) and telecom (7.7 per cent). The number of convergence companies on the NCH platform has increased from 403 in 2017-18 to 647 now, with 98.5 per cent grievance redressal in April-December 2020, Nandan said.
"Our motto is to increase consumer outreach, improve consumer grievance redressal and to take proactive initiatives for consumer protection to strengthen the consumer movement in India," she added.
Nandan further stated that various consumer outreach initiatives have been taken by the department, particularly for rural consumers. These initiatives have been deployed through panchayats, common service centers, Krishi Vigyan Kendra and post offices, among others.
Informing about the eDaakhil portal of the department, the secretary said that the government of India through the NIC has launched the portal, which simplifies the process of filing complaints for the consumers.
The consumers can now file online complaints from anywhere. So far, 17 states and the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) have adopted the eDaakhil portal. As many as 13,944 users have registered on the portal so far.
Briefing the media about the actions taken by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), Nandan said that 172 notices have been issued since October 2020, 37 for misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices and 135 for violation of declarations under packaged commodity rules.
She said after analysing the complaints, the CCPA has requested the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) for early settlement of claims, besides asking the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRA) to resolve issues related to portability, network, broad-band service etc. The CCPA has also asked the RBI to adhere to the timelines of settlement of claims.
Brands
HCLTech delivers Rs 24 dividend as revenue hits Rs 1.3 lakh crore
IT giant delivers solid growth for shareholders with a major payout despite navigating global market shifts.
MUMBAI: HCLTech has clearly found the right code for financial success, proving that its operational strategy is more than just a quick fix for the digital age. The technology titan’s board of directors officially signed off on their year-end deliberations on 21 April 2026, revealing a set of annual results that suggest the company’s growth trajectory remains well-buffered against economic volatility.
The primary highlight for investors is the declaration of an interim dividend of Rs 24 per equity share (on a face value of Rs 2) for the 2026–27 financial year. Shareholders will not have to wait long for the processing of these funds; the record date is set for 25 April 2026, with payments scheduled to be completed by 5 May 2026. This follows a total dividend of Rs 54 per share already distributed during the 2025–26 fiscal year.
The consolidated annual results show a company operating at a high frequency across its global markets. Total revenue surged to Rs 130,144 crore for the year ended 31 March 2026, a significant jump from the Rs 117,055 crore recorded the previous year. Net profit remained robust at Rs 16,652 crore for the full year, despite a slight dip from Rs 17,399 crore seen in 2025. Quarterly performance also reflected steady momentum, with Q4 revenue reaching Rs 33,981 crore and net profit at Rs 4,490 crore, compared to Rs 30,246 crore in revenue during the same period last year.
The company’s diverse service portfolio played a balanced role in this financial performance. IT and Business Services remained the primary engine, contributing Rs 96,094 crore to annual revenue. Engineering and R&D Services showed strong growth, climbing to Rs 22,056 crore for the year, while HCL Software maintained a consistent stream of Rs 11,994 crore.
It was not entirely smooth scrolling, as the company had to account for specific financial hurdles. HCLTech faced a one-time impact of Rs 956 crore due to the New Labour Codes. Additionally, total expenses for the year rose to Rs 108,616 crore. This was largely driven by employee benefits, which reached Rs 74,143 crore, a figure that reflects the ongoing high costs of securing top-tier tech talent in a competitive market.
On the standalone front, the company reported a profit before tax of Rs 10,024 crore for the year. However, the final quarter saw a standalone loss of Rs 900 crore, which the company attributed to a material Bilateral Advance Pricing Agreement (BAPA).
Despite the rise in costs, HCLTech’s financial “cache” remains substantial. Total assets grew to Rs 116,258 crore as of 31 March 2026, compared to Rs 105,544 crore a year earlier. The company’s cash and cash equivalents stood at a healthy Rs 8,195 crore at year-end, providing ample bandwidth for future investments and expansion.
As the global tech landscape continues to shift, HCLTech appears to have the right architecture to maintain its performance, ensuring that for its investors, the future remains highly user-friendly.
