Redressal

noun

/rɪˈdrɛsəl/

The act of setting right a wrong, grievance, or complaint — in the consumer context, the process by which a consumer obtains relief (refund, replacement, compensation, or discontinuation of unfair practice) through the consumer disputes redressal machinery established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

A robust grievance redressal mechanism — anchored in statutory time-limits and independent appellate authorities — is indispensable if citizen-centric governance is to move beyond rhetoric to a tangible guarantee of accountability.

Synonyms

redressremedyreparationrectificationamendsrestitution

Antonyms

aggravationwronginjusticeneglect

🌱 Word Family

redress (v/n), redressed (adj), redresser (n), redressable (adj)

🔡 Root

Old French redrecier = to set right again; re- = again + drecier = to set straight, from Latin dīrectus = straight

📜 Etymology

From Middle English redressen, from Old French redrecier ("to set right again"), from re- ("again") + drecier ("to set straight"), from Vulgar Latin directiāre, from Latin dīrectus ("straight, direct").

🧠 Memory Hook

RE-DRESS-AL: to "re-dress" a wound — to set a wrong "straight" again (Latin directus = straight), i.e. to put things right.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2023 — Constitutional Bodies
Mains 2019 · GS2 · 10 marks — Governance

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Redressal” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

💰 Indian Economy 📖 Seen in: Competition Policy & Consumer Protecti...

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