Online shopping platforms must provide essential product information before purchase.

Online Shopping Rules To Change From January 1, 2027: 7 Key Changes

If you frequently shop online for clothes, smartphones, electronics or household products, new e-commerce rules could change the way you shop. The new provisions are set to come into effect from January 1, 2027, with the government aiming to improve transparency and strengthen consumer protection.The changes are designed to address concerns such as misleading discounts, hidden charges, paid product placements and other online practices that could influence customers unfairly.Here are seven major changes online shoppers should know about.

1. Greater Transparency On Discounts E-commerce platforms will have to provide clearer information when advertising discounts during sales. Sellers will be required to display both the current selling price and the previous price. The previous price will be calculated based on the lowest price at which the product was sold during the preceding 30 days. The move is aimed at preventing misleading discounts created by artificially increasing prices before a sale.

2. Paid Product Listings Must Be Identified Products promoted through paid placements will have to be clearly identified as advertisements or sponsored listings.This will allow shoppers to distinguish between products that appear in search results organically and those that have been placed higher because a seller or brand paid for promotion.

3. More Product Details Before Purchase Online platforms will be required to provide important product information before customers complete a purchase.

The information may include:

• Expiry or best-before date
• Return and refund policy
• Warranty details
• Delivery information
• Payment-related details

For imported products, customers will also need to be informed about the country of manufacture and the identity of the importer.

4. Restrictions On Hidden And Unnecessary Charges E-commerce companies will face restrictions on charging separate fees for services that are not directly connected to their primary service. However, charges associated with loyalty and membership programmes will be excluded from this provision.

5. Customer Data To Require Consent Companies will not be permitted to use customers’ personal information for specified purposes without obtaining their explicit consent. The measure is intended to give consumers greater control over how their information is used by online platforms.

6. Stricter Action Against Dark Patterns Online practices designed to confuse, manipulate or pressure consumers into making a purchase are commonly known as dark patterns. Under the new framework, e-commerce companies will have to comply with the 2023 guidelines on dark patterns. Platforms will also be required to conduct an annual self-assessment and display a certificate confirming compliance.

7. Customers To Receive Complaint Records When a customer submits a complaint to an e-commerce company, the platform will have to provide the customer with a copy of the complaint. This will give consumers a formal record of their complaint and make it easier to track the issue. E-commerce platforms will also be required to integrate with the National Consumer Helpline, strengthening the system for resolving consumer complaints. Why Are E-Commerce Rules Being Updated?

The proposed changes come amid a growing number of consumer complaints related to online shopping. According to the Department of Consumer Affairs, the National Consumer Helpline received 17,71,622 complaints in 2025, of which 5,11,196 were related to online shopping. India’s existing e-commerce rules were introduced in 2020. With online businesses, digital payments and shopping platforms evolving rapidly, the government has said that the regulatory framework also needs to keep pace with these changes. For consumers, the new provisions could mean more transparent pricing, clearer product information and stronger protection against misleading online practices from January 1, 2027.