Step-by-Step Procedure for Filing First Appeal via e-Jagriti

A First Appeal (FA) is the legal remedy available when a party is aggrieved by an order of a consumer commission. The e-Jagriti portal (managed by NIC / MeitY) allows users to file FA electronically. This guide walks you through every step of filing a First Appeal on e-Jagriti, explains required documents, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical tips to ensure a smooth submission.

Before You Start — Preparations & Checklist

  1. Login credentials: Ensure you have a registered account on the e-Jagriti portal and are logged in.
  2. Old case details: Have the original case number, name of the commission (District/State/National), and the date of the impugned order ready.
  3. Documents (scanned and legible) — keep these files ready in commonly accepted formats (PDF preferred):
    • Index (table of contents) for the appeal bundle
    • Proforma (if required by the commission)
    • Synopsis of facts and grounds of appeal
    • Memo of parties (names and addresses of appellant and respondents)
    • Notarized affidavit in support of FA
    • First Appeal document itself (with notarized affidavit)
    • Certified copy of the state commission order (if this is an appeal to a higher commission)
    • Vakalatnama (if represented by an advocate)
    • Annexures, clearly titled and indexed
    • Any Interlocutory Application (IA), if you are filing one along with FA
  4. Payment details: If the appeal requires a court fee or DD details, have them available.
  5. File naming & order: Name each file clearly (e.g., “FA_Memo_of_Parties.pdf”, “Exhibit_A1_Invoice.pdf”), and prepare a consolidated index that maps each document to an exhibit number.

Step-by-Step Filing on e-Jagriti

Step 1 — Dashboard: Start a New Case

  • From your e-Jagriti dashboard, select “File New Case” from the left menu.

 

 

Step 2 — Choose Case Type: Select “First Appeal”

  • In the case type selection menu, choose “First Appeal”.
  • Once selected, the portal will load the FA filing workflow.

 

 

Step 3 — Required Documents Displayed

  • After selecting FA, the portal displays a list of required documents for filing. Read this list carefully and ensure all documents you will upload are ready and correctly titled.
  • Click Next to continue.

 

Step 4 — Enter Old Case Details

  • Enter the old case number and the name of the commission (National / State / District) where the impugned order was passed.
  • Fill any additional fields asked (bench name, original filing date, etc.).
  • Click Submit to proceed.

 

Tip: Verify the case number and commission name exactly as they appear in the original order — a mismatch can lead to a processing delay.

Step 5 — View Old Case Details

  • The portal will fetch and display the old case details (case number, case type, commission, parties, order date).
  • Confirm the accuracy and click Next.

 

Step 6 — Enter Order & Receipt Dates, Fee/DD Details

  • Provide the date of the impugned order and the date you received the order. These dates are critical for calculating limitation periods.
  • If you have DD (demand draft) or other fee payment details, enter them here.
  • Click Next.

 

Tip: If your appeal is time-sensitive, double-check the date-of-receipt field — incorrect entries may affect admissibility.

Step 7 — Add Parties and Advocates

  • The portal will display the existing parties (from the old case). Tick the checkboxes to include the appellant and respondent(s) in the FA.
  • Add advocates: select from the listed advocates or “Add Another Advocate” if your counsel is not shown.
  • Confirm parties and advocates, then click Next.

 

Tip: Ensure correct spelling and full addresses for all parties — errors here may affect service.

Step 8 — Upload Documents

  • Upload the required documents in the sequence requested:
    • Index, Proforma, Synopsis, Memo of Parties, Notarized Affidavit, FA with Notarized Affidavit, Certified State Commission Order, Vakalatnama, Annexures (titled), IA Application (if any).
  • Each file should be clearly named and correspond to the index. The portal usually allows multiple file uploads; follow the upload prompts.
  • Click Next when uploads are complete.

 

Practical upload tips:

  • Scan documents at 300 DPI so text is legible.
  • Avoid scanning long documents as single huge PDFs — split exhibits into logical files (e.g., Ex.A1 to Ex.A5).
  • If the portal sets file-size limits, compress large scanned images or use PDF compression tools.

Step 9 — Declaration & Commission Selection

  • Select the commission name where the appeal is intended to be filed.
  • Tick the declaration checkbox confirming the correctness of information.
  • Click Preview.

 

Step 10 — Preview the Complete Filing

  • Review every section carefully on the Preview page. Confirm parties, dates, uploaded documents, and fee details.
  • Use the Edit button to correct any specific section if needed.
  • When satisfied, click Final Submit.

 

Important: Once you click Final Submit, changes may be restricted. Use the preview stage to make final corrections.

Step 11 — Confirm Submission

  • A pop-up will ask you to confirm submission. Confirm only if all details and uploads are correct.

 

Step 12 — Reference Number & Forwarding

  • After final submission, the system generates a reference number for the appeal and forwards the case to the respective commission for processing.
  • Save or download the acknowledgement and reference number for future tracking.
  • You will typically receive email confirmation as well.

After Filing — Practical Follow-Up Steps

  1. Save the reference number and receipt PDF immediately.
  2. Monitor email and portal notifications for notices or case status updates.
  3. If the commission raises any deficiency (e.g., missing certified copy, notarization), respond promptly within the time allowed.
  4. Keep physical copies of all documents and originals where required (if demanded).
  5. If the appeal requires court fees or proofs of payment, be prepared

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

  • Wrong case number or commission name: Always copy these exactly from the original order.
  • Poor scan quality: Use a flatbed scanner or a good smartphone scanning app; verify legibility.
  • Large files: Break large annexures into parts; compress PDFs if the portal has limits.
  • Missing notarization: Check if an affidavit or FA requires notarization and upload the notarized version.
  • Incorrect dates (order/receipt): These are critical for limitation — verify before submission.
  • Incorrect party details: Provide full names and addresses; partial addresses may cause service problems.
  • Not following the index: The portal and the commission expect documents to match the index. Ensure your indexing is consistent.

Document Naming & Indexing Standard (Recommended)

  • FA_Index.pdf (a one-page table mapping exhibits to filenames)
  • FA_Memo_of_Parties.pdf
  • FA_Synopsis.pdf
  • FA_Main_Petition_With_Notarized_Affidavit.pdf
  • FA_Annexures_ExA1_Invoice.pdf
  • FA_Annexures_ExA2_Order.pdf
  • Vakalatnama.pdf
  • Certified_State_Commission_Order.pdf

Maintain consistent exhibit numbers both in the index and the file names (Ex.A1, Ex.A2 etc.). This helps the clerk, the registry, and the bench.

Best Practices for Advocates and Litigants

  • Prepare the appeal bundle in the same order you will upload it; follow the portal’s required sequence.
  • If your appeal is close to the limitation period, add a cover note explaining the calculation and attach proof of dispatch/receipt where needed.
  • For electronic filing, ensure that the contact details (email, telephone) are current and monitored.
  • Keep a separate folder with originals and certified copies for possible physical verification.

Sample Timeline from Filing to Acknowledgement

  • Day 0: Upload FA and finalize submission ? system generates reference no.
  • Day 1–7: Commission registry acknowledges and checks initial defects.
  • Day 7–30: If documents are complete, registry forwards to judge bench or lists for preliminary hearing — timelines vary by commission workload.
  • Ongoing: Respond promptly to any deficiency notices or intimation.

Practical Checklist (Before Final Submit)

  • Old case number and commission name verified
  • Dates of order and receipt confirmed
  • All required documents scanned and properly titled
  • Index prepared and consistent with filenames
  • Notarized affidavit included where required
  • Vakalatnama (if represented) included
  • Fee/DD details added (if required)
  • Declaration checkbox ticked and preview verified
  • Reference number saved after submission

Closing Notes

The e-Jagriti FA filing workflow is straightforward if you prepare the required documents in advance and follow the order’s prompts. The preview step is crucial — treat it as your final quality check. Proper indexing, clear file names, and legible scans will make the registry’s processing faster and reduce chances of defects being raised.