The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (CPA 2019) — formally Act No. 35 of 2019 — is an Indian Parliament legislation that repeals and replaces the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (COPRA). It came into force on 20 July 2020 and applies to the whole of India including J&K and Ladakh (a change from the 1986 Act which excluded J&K). It is the primary legislation protecting consumer rights in India's modern market economy, covering both offline and online/digital transactions.
A consumer is any person who buys goods or hires/avails services for consideration — paid, promised, partly paid, or under deferred payment. It explicitly includes online, e-commerce, teleshopping, multi-level marketing (MLM), and direct selling transactions.
A person who buys goods for resale or commercial purpose is NOT a consumer under CPA 2019. Self-employment to earn livelihood IS included — this distinction is frequently tested.
| Term | Section | Definition / Key Point |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer | 2(7) | Buyer of goods/services for personal use; includes e-commerce; excludes resale/commercial purpose |
| Defect | 2(10) | Fault in goods — quality, quantity, potency, purity, or standard; or below express warranty |
| Deficiency | 2(11) | Shortcoming in quality, nature, manner of performance of service as required by law/contract |
| Unfair Trade Practice | 2(47) | Includes false ads, bait-and-switch, dark patterns, non-issuance of bill/cash memo, misleading price |
| Unfair Contract | 2(46) | Excessive one-sided terms detrimental to consumer; e.g. auto-debit without consent |
| Product Liability | 2(34) | Responsibility of manufacturer/seller for injury/damage from defective product or deficient service |
| E-commerce | 2(16) | Buying/selling goods or services including digital products over a digital/electronic network |
| Restrictive Trade Practice | 2(41) | Tendency to manipulate price or delivery conditions of goods/services to affect their flow |
India's 6 consumer rights are aligned with the UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection (1985, revised 1999 & 2015), which also underpin CPA 1986 and CPA 2019.
UPSC often tests whether "healthcare" is included in CPA 2019 services. It is NOT explicitly listed — medical profession's inclusion is via case law (Indian Medical Association v. VP Shantha, 1995), now under review by SC larger bench.
Before 1986, consumers had to rely on scattered laws — Indian Contract Act 1872, Sale of Goods Act 1930, Indian Penal Code 1860, Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954, Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP) Act 1969 — all of which were slow, costly, and inaccessible to ordinary citizens.
National Consumer Day is observed on 24 December every year — the date CPA 1986 received Presidential assent. Theme 2025: "Efficient and Speedy Disposal through Digital Justice."
| Chapter | Sections | Subject Matter |
|---|---|---|
| I | 1–2 | Preliminary — title, extent, definitions (47 definitions in Section 2) |
| II | 3–6 | Central Consumer Protection Council — advisory body headed by Union Minister |
| III | 7–9 | State Consumer Protection Councils |
| IV | 10–27 | Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) — establishment, composition, powers, penalties |
| V | 28–73 | Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions — District (28–44), State (45–56), National (57–67); appeal to Supreme Court (67) |
| VI | 74–81 | Product Liability — manufacturer, service provider, seller liability |
| VII | 82–87 | Offences & Penalties — adulterated/spurious goods, false complaints |
| VIII | 88–107 | Miscellaneous — District Collector powers, mediation, consumer welfare fund, e-filing |
| Section | Subject | Key Point |
|---|---|---|
| Sec 2(7) | Definition of Consumer | Includes e-commerce; excludes commercial purpose / resale |
| Sec 2(9) | Consumer Rights | 6 rights — Safety, Informed, Choose, Heard, Redressal, Education |
| Sec 2(47) | Unfair Trade Practice | False ads, bait-and-switch, dark patterns, non-issuance of bill |
| Sec 10 | Establishment of CCPA | CCPA = statutory regulator; set up by Central Government |
| Sec 18 | Powers of CCPA | Inquire, recall goods, discontinue unfair practices, impose penalties, issue safety notices |
| Sec 19 | Penalties — Misleading Ads | ₹10 lakh + 2 years jail; repeat ₹50 lakh + 5 years jail |
| Sec 20 | Recall / Withdrawal | CCPA may order recall of unsafe goods or withdrawal of services |
| Sec 21 | Discontinuation of false ads | CCPA can ban misleading advertisements; ban endorsers up to 1 year |
| Sec 67 | Appeal to Supreme Court | Final appeal from National Commission lies to the Supreme Court |
| Sec 74 | Product Liability Action | Consumer can bring action against manufacturer, service provider, or product seller |
| Sec 88 | District Collector Power | District Collector authorised to investigate consumer rights violations |
Notified under CPA 2019, these rules impose specific obligations on every e-commerce entity operating in India:
Draft amendment to E-Commerce Rules (November 2025): mandatory searchable/sortable filter by 'Country of Origin' for imported goods proposed for all e-commerce platforms.
| Forum / Commission | Pecuniary Jurisdiction (CPA 2019) | Previous (COPRA 1986) |
|---|---|---|
| District Commission | Up to ₹50 lakh | Up to ₹20 lakh |
| State Commission | ₹50 lakh to ₹2 crore | ₹20 lakh to ₹1 crore |
| National Commission (NCDRC) | Above ₹10 crore | Above ₹1 crore |
| Supreme Court | Final appeal from National Commission | Same |
Note the gap: CPA 2019 NCDRC jurisdiction is above ₹10 crore — a common trick question. UPSC has previously asked about the difference between ₹1 crore (old) and ₹10 crore (new).
| Right | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Right to Safety | Protection against goods/services hazardous to life and property | Faulty pressure cooker recalled; defective airbag → product liability |
| Right to be Informed | Full disclosure on quality, quantity, potency, price, standards | E-commerce platform must show country of origin, MRP, return policy |
| Right to Choose | Access to variety of goods at competitive prices | Telecom offering only bundled plans = violation of choice |
| Right to be Heard | Consumer interests considered in policy-making and dispute forums | Consumer representation on regulatory committees; CCPA consumer councils |
| Right to Seek Redressal | Compensation/remedy for unfair trade or defective goods | Filing complaint in District Commission; CCPA class action |
| Right to Consumer Education | Awareness about consumer rights and law | National Consumer Day (24 Dec); Jago Grahak Jago; NCH 1915 |
A revolutionary addition to CPA 2019 — product liability places compensation responsibility on three entities:
Under Section 74, a product seller explicitly includes e-commerce platforms — meaning Amazon, Flipkart etc. can be held liable if a defective product sold on their platform causes injury.
A manufacturer is liable even without proof of negligence if the product contained a manufacturing defect, design defect, or deviation from established standards.
CPA 2019 introduces mediation for the first time as an official ADR route. Consumer Commissions may refer cases for mediation if early settlement is possible and both parties agree. Mediation Cells are set up under each Consumer Commission.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Referral | Commission refers after prima facie finding; cannot be compelled |
| Timeline | Fixed by rules; aims for pre-litigation quick settlement |
| Consent | Both parties must consent; consumer cannot be forced |
| Status | Mediator recommendation → if agreed, treated as order of Commission |
CPA 2019 addresses the celebrity endorsement culture with strict provisions:
| Offender | First Offence | Subsequent Offence |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer / Endorser | Fine up to ₹10 lakh + imprisonment up to 2 years | Fine up to ₹50 lakh + imprisonment up to 5 years |
| Celebrity Endorser (ban) | Banned from endorsement for 1 year | Banned for up to 3 years |
CCPA cannot impose a penalty on a celebrity endorser simply for endorsing — the celebrity must have had due diligence obligations. If they exercised due diligence, they are exempt. UPSC occasionally tests this nuance.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) is a statutory regulatory body established under Section 10(1) of CPA 2019 by the Central Government. It became operational on 24 July 2020. It deals exclusively with class action / public interest matters — individual grievances go to the National Consumer Helpline (NCH).
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Department: Department of Consumer Affairs. Chief Commissioner as of 2025–26: Nidhi Khare.
| Post | Minimum Experience | Fields of Expertise Required |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Commissioner | 25 years | Law, public affairs, administration, economics, finance, management, technology, public health, food safety, standardisation, etc. |
| Commissioner(s) | 20 years | Same fields as Chief Commissioner; must demonstrate ability, integrity, and standing |
| Director-General (Investigation Wing) | – | Heads independent investigation wing; can conduct suo motu inquiries |
| Section | Power | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 18(1) | Inquire / Investigate | Can act on complaints, or central government directions, or suo motu |
| 18(2)(a) | Recall goods | Order withdrawal of goods hazardous to consumers |
| 18(2)(b) | Reimbursement | Order refund of price paid by consumers |
| 18(2)(c) | Discontinue UTP | Stop unfair trade practices; direct modification |
| 18(2)(l) | Issue Guidelines | Enforceable guidelines against unfair trade practices |
| 19 | Penalty — Misleading Ads | ₹10L + 2yr (first); ₹50L + 5yr (repeat) |
| 20 | Recall / Withdrawal Order | Can order stop on unsafe goods + services |
| 21 | Ban endorsers | 1-year ban on celebrity endorsers (first); 3-year ban (repeat) |
Under Section 18(2)(l), the CCPA notified the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023 (30 November 2023), identifying 13 prohibited dark patterns:
Term "dark patterns" coined by UX expert Harry Brignull in 2010. India's 2023 Guidelines are among the earliest dedicated dark pattern regulations globally.
CCPA is often confused with NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights). Key difference: CCPA = consumer regulator under CPA 2019 under Ministry of Consumer Affairs. NCPCR = child rights body under Ministry of Women & Child Development.
| Year | Action | Outcome / Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| 2020–2021 | COVID-era misleading ads — multinational claims "kills 99.9% virus" | CCPA directed removal of advertisement |
| 2021 | 135+ notices for Legal Metrology violations (country of origin, MRP) | Compliance directives + recovery of ₹1.03 crore (by Jan 2026) |
| Jan 2026 | Illegal walkie-talkie listings (16,970+ non-compliant listings; 13 entities) | ₹10L each on Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Meta; ₹1L each on JioMart & others |
| Jan 2026 | 27 restaurants — mandatory service charge (Unfair Trade Practice) | CCPA directed billing software modification; no default service charge |
| Jun 2025 | Dark pattern self-audit advisory to all e-commerce platforms | 26 platforms declared compliance; Jagriti Dashboard deployed |
| May 2026 | Unregistered herbicide "Cyclosinone" on Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, JioMart | Notices issued; listings removed; accounts under scrutiny; detailed investigation ordered |
NCH (National Consumer Helpline, Toll-free: 1915) facilitated ₹45 crore in refunds for 67,265 consumers between April–December 2025. Top complaint states: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi.
Indian Medical Association v. VP Shantha (1995) · Supreme Court · 5-Judge Constitution Bench
Holding: Medical services (except purely charitable/free services) are covered under CPA 1986. Paying patients are consumers; doctors/hospitals can be sued for deficiency in service. Under review by SC larger bench — reexamination pending as of 2024.
Spring Meadows Hospital v. Harjot Ahluwalia (1998) · Supreme Court
Holding: Both parents AND a minor child can claim compensation under CPA. Parents hiring medical service are consumers; minor child as beneficiary is also a consumer under the inclusive definition.
M/s Imperia Structures Ltd. v. Anil Patni (2020) · Supreme Court
Holding: Remedies under CPA 2019 are additional to — not in lieu of — all other available remedies (RERA, etc.). Consumers can pursue both CPA and RERA simultaneously.
Bar of Indian Lawyers v. D.K. Gandhi (2024) · Supreme Court · May 14, 2024
Holding: Advocates are NOT liable for alleged deficiencies in services under CPA 1986 or CPA 2019. Legal profession excluded from the Act. Also requested CJI to set up larger bench to reconsider the VP Shantha decision on medical profession.
Omkar Realtors & Developers v. Kushalraj Land Developers (2024) · Supreme Court
Holding: Interpreted "consumer" under CPA 2019 in the real estate context. NCDRC's jurisdiction upheld. Platform or developer that delayed possession and caused service deficiency held liable for refund + compensation.
Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation v. Ashok Iron Works (SC)
Holding: Corporate bodies can be sued under CPA. The definition of "person" under CPA includes companies and juristic entities — not just individuals.
Delhi High Court — CCPA Service Charge Directions (March 28, 2025)
Holding: DHC upheld CCPA guidelines — mandatory collection of service charges by restaurants is contrary to law and constitutes an Unfair Trade Practice under CPA 2019. Provided "legal teeth" for CCPA's January 2026 action against 27 restaurants.
| Case | Year | Key Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| VP Shantha | 1995 | Medical services = services under CPA (under SC review) |
| Spring Meadows Hospital | 1998 | Minor child also a consumer; parents can claim on behalf |
| M/s Imperia Structures | 2020 | CPA remedies = additional; not alternative to RERA |
| Bar of Indian Lawyers | 2024 | Advocates NOT covered by CPA 2019 |
| Omkar Realtors | 2024 | Real estate consumers protected; NCDRC has jurisdiction |
| KPTC v. Ashok Iron Works | – | Corporate bodies can be consumers under CPA |
UPSC often tests: Are government hospitals covered under CPA? Answer: Free services in government hospitals are NOT covered (no consideration). Mixed hospitals (some free, some paid) are covered. This flows from VP Shantha.
| Country / Body | Key Law / Body | Distinctive Feature |
|---|---|---|
| India | Consumer Protection Act, 2019; CCPA | First Global South country with dedicated e-commerce consumer rules + CCPA regulator; dark pattern guidelines (2023) |
| USA | Federal Trade Commission Act; FTC + CFPB | Litigation-heavy model; high punitive damages; class action suits; no uniform national consumer law |
| UK | Consumer Rights Act, 2015; CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) | Single comprehensive act; Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) for out-of-court resolution; strong online protections |
| EU | EU Consumer Rights Directive; Digital Services Act (DSA) | Harmonised EU-wide protections; GDPR for data; EU Safety Gate for dangerous non-food products; DSA targets platforms |
| Australia | Australian Consumer Law (ACL), 2010 | Consumer = goods/services below AUD 40,000; strong warranties embedded in all consumer contracts |
| UN Framework | UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection (1985, rev. 1999 & 2015) | UNCTAD administers; 8 fundamental principles; India's CPA 1986 and CPA 2019 both trace roots here |
| Country | Definition Approach | Key Exclusion |
|---|---|---|
| India (CPA 2019) | Any person buying goods/services for consideration; includes e-commerce | Resale or commercial purpose excluded |
| UK (Consumer Rights Act 2015) | Individual acting for purposes outside trade/business/craft/profession | B2B transactions excluded |
| EU (Consumer Rights Directive) | Any natural person acting outside their trade, business, craft or profession | B2B excluded; companies cannot be "consumers" |
| Australia (ACL) | Person acquiring goods/services ≤ AUD 40,000 OR of personal/household kind | High-value commercial transactions excluded |
| Topic / Concept | Connection with CPA 2019 |
|---|---|
| FSSAI (Food Safety) | Consumer right to safety overlaps; adulterated food → both CPA 2019 and FSSAI action |
| BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) | Quality Control Orders enforced via BIS; non-BIS goods on e-commerce → CCPA can act |
| TRAI (Telecom) | Sectoral regulator; consumer telecom complaints go to TRAI, not CCPA — overlapping jurisdiction issue |
| IRDAI (Insurance) | Insurance consumer disputes → IRDAI + consumer commissions (CPA allows concurrent jurisdiction) |
| SEBI (Securities) | Investor ≠ consumer; securities market disputes → SEBI + SAT, not CPA forums |
| Competition Act, 2002 | CCI handles anti-competitive behavior; CCPA handles unfair trade practices — distinct but related frameworks |
| Legal Metrology Act, 2009 | MRP, net quantity, country of origin disclosures enforced; e-commerce violations = CPA 2019 + Legal Metrology Act |
| IT Act, 2000 / DPDP Act, 2023 | Data privacy of consumers; dark patterns in digital platforms = intersection of CPA 2019 and DPDP Act |
| RERA (Real Estate Act, 2016) | Consumer can pursue BOTH CPA 2019 and RERA remedies — M/s Imperia (2020) |
India participates in ICPEN (40+ countries), which shares information on cross-border consumer fraud. The network's econsumer.gov portal allows cross-border fraud complaints. With India's booming cross-border e-commerce, this cooperation is increasingly relevant for UPSC context.
UPSC has previously asked about the overlap between CCPA and SEBI/TRAI. Key rule: Sectoral regulators have primary jurisdiction in their domain; CPA 2019 is complementary but consumer commissions retain jurisdiction for individual deficiency claims even in regulated sectors (except securities market).
The CCPA issued notices to Amazon India, Flipkart, Meesho, and JioMart on 16 May 2026 over the alleged online sale and promotion of an unregistered agrochemical — "Cyclosinone Herbicide". Notices directed the platforms to explain their due diligence mechanisms and to immediately remove product listings. All four platforms confirmed listings had been taken down and associated seller accounts placed under scrutiny. The CCPA stated this was only a first step and that the matter has been placed for detailed investigation.
CCPA fined Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and Meta Platforms Inc. ₹10 lakh each (and JioMart, Chimiya, Talk Pro, MaskMan Toys ₹1 lakh each) for listing and selling unauthorised walkie-talkies — Personal Mobile Radios operating outside the license-exempt frequency band without Equipment Type Approval (ETA) certification. Over 16,970 non-compliant listings identified across 13 entities. CCPA also notified the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Listing and Sale of Radio Equipment on E-Commerce Platforms, 2025.
CCPA took suo motu cognizance against 27 restaurants across India for mandatory levy of service charges — declared "Unfair Trade Practice" under CPA 2019. This followed Delhi High Court's March 28, 2025 judgment upholding CCPA guidelines. Restaurants directed to modify billing software to ensure no default service charge addition.
26 leading e-commerce platforms — including Tata 1mg, Zomato, Blinkit, Ixigo, Meesho — voluntarily submitted self-declaration letters confirming compliance with CCPA's Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023 (November 30, 2023). Internal/third-party audits completed; platforms declared free from all 13 CCPA-identified dark patterns.
CCPA issued advisory directing all e-commerce platforms to conduct mandatory self-audits within 3 months to identify and eliminate dark patterns (effective 6 June 2025 to 31 December 2026). Jagriti App and Jagriti Dashboard (real-time URL monitoring tool) launched by Department of Consumer Affairs on National Consumer Day 2024 (24 December 2024).
National Consumer Helpline (NCH — 1915) resolved 67,265 consumer grievances and facilitated ₹45 crore in refunds between April–December 2025. First six months of 2025 alone saw 7,221 e-commerce complaints. Highest complaint states: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi.
The May 2026 herbicide notice tests two subjects simultaneously — CPA 2019 (CCPA powers, due diligence obligations of platforms) AND Pesticides/Agriculture (Insecticides Act, 1968 which governs herbicide registration). If a UPSC CSP 2026 question asks about CCPA's latest action — this is the answer. Remember: Cyclosinone = herbicide; unregistered under relevant agrochemical laws.
| Statement | True / False | Reason / Correct Position |
|---|---|---|
| CCPA was established under Consumer Protection Act, 1986 | ❌ FALSE | CCPA established under CPA 2019 (Section 10); it did not exist under COPRA 1986 |
| CPA 2019 came into force on 9 August 2019 | ❌ FALSE | Received Presidential assent on 9 August 2019; came into force on 20 July 2020 |
| CCPA handles individual consumer disputes | ❌ FALSE | CCPA handles only class action / public interest matters. Individual complaints → NCH (1915) |
| Final appeal from National Consumer Commission lies to the High Court | ❌ FALSE | Final appeal lies to the Supreme Court under Section 67 |
| The National Commission can hear cases above ₹1 crore under CPA 2019 | ❌ FALSE | Under CPA 2019, NCDRC hears cases above ₹10 crore (revised from ₹1 crore under COPRA 1986) |
| Advocates can be sued for deficiency of service under CPA 2019 | ❌ FALSE | SC in Bar of Indian Lawyers (2024) held advocates are NOT liable under CPA |
| CPA 2019 covers transactions in Jammu & Kashmir | ✅ TRUE | CPA 2019 extends to whole of India including J&K and Ladakh — changed from 1986 Act |
| A person buying goods for resale is a "consumer" under CPA 2019 | ❌ FALSE | Buying for resale or commercial purpose explicitly excluded from Section 2(7) |
| CPA 2019 introduced product liability for the first time in India | ✅ TRUE | Product liability introduced via Chapter VI (Sections 74–81) — not present in COPRA 1986 |
| The term "dark patterns" was introduced by CCPA in 2023 | ❌ FALSE | Term coined by UX expert Harry Brignull in 2010; CCPA just notified guidelines based on the concept in 2023 |
CCPA was established under CPA 2019 (Section 10) but became operational from 24 July 2020 — NOT on 20 July 2020 (which is when CPA 2019 came into force). These are two different dates — both can be tested in the same question.
Under COPRA 1986: NCDRC = above ₹1 crore. Under CPA 2019: NCDRC = above ₹10 crore. UPSC options often confuse ₹1 crore with ₹10 crore. Also note: proceedings initiated before 20 July 2020 continue under old jurisdiction rules.
CCPA files cases in consumer commissions (District/State/National) — it does not adjudicate individual disputes itself. If UPSC says "CCPA adjudicates individual consumer complaints" — that is FALSE.
Indian Medical Association v. VP Shantha (1995) brought doctors under CPA. But in 2024, SC's Bar of Indian Lawyers judgment requested a larger bench reconsideration. As of now, doctors ARE still covered under CPA 2019 (VP Shantha not overruled yet) but this is under active judicial scrutiny.
Healthcare is not explicitly listed in CPA 2019's definition of "services." Its coverage rests entirely on judicial interpretation from VP Shantha (1995) — not statutory text. UPSC may use this to construct a misleading statement.
Questions appear as: (1) Statement + Reason (Assertion-Reason), (2) Match the following — section numbers with provisions, (3) "Which of the following is/are NOT features of CPA 2019?", (4) "Consider the following statements…" type on CCPA powers. Focus on numbers: ₹5L (no fee), ₹10L/₹50L (misleading ad penalty), ₹50L/₹2Cr/₹10Cr (forum limits), 48 hrs/1 month (e-commerce obligations).
UPSC CSP 2026 is on 24 May 2026 — barely one week after the May 16 CCPA herbicide notice. There is a strong chance this event appears as a match-the-following or single-statement question. Remember: Cyclosinone = herbicide = unregistered = CCPA notice = May 16, 2026.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Act Name | Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (No. 35 of 2019) |
| Replaced | Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (COPRA) |
| Presidential Assent | 9 August 2019 (Ram Nath Kovind) |
| In Force | 20 July 2020 |
| Introduced By | Ram Vilas Paswan (Minister, Consumer Affairs) |
| CCPA Established Under | Section 10 of CPA 2019 |
| CCPA Operative From | 24 July 2020 |
| CCPA Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution |
| Consumer (Sec 2(7)) | Includes e-commerce; excludes resale/commercial purpose |
| Consumer Rights | 6 — Safety, Information, Choice, Heard, Redressal, Education |
| NCDRC Jurisdiction | Above ₹10 crore (changed from ₹1 crore under COPRA 1986) |
| Penalty — Misleading Ads | ₹10L + 2yr (1st) · ₹50L + 5yr (repeat) |
| Filing Fee | Zero for complaints up to ₹5 lakh |
| Key Additions vs 1986 | CCPA + Product Liability + E-Commerce Rules + Mediation + J&K coverage + Dark Patterns |
| E-Commerce Complaint | Acknowledge 48 hrs · Redress within 1 month |
| National Consumer Day | 24 December (CPA 1986 Presidential assent date) |
| NCH Helpline | 1915 |
| Dark Patterns | 13 identified; Guidelines notified 30 November 2023 |