International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development

The explosive growth of India's digital commerce landscape has been accompanied by a pervasive trend: the integration of dark patterns into user interfaces. These deceptive design architectures are engineered to exploit cognitive biases and manipulate consumer behavior toward choices that favor business revenue over user autonomy. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of digital dark patterns, examining their psychological mechanisms, their impact on Indian demographics, and the limitations of current regulatory frameworks. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach that combines a systematic literature review with primary survey data from 20 participants, the study reveals that 72% of consumers have made unintended purchases due to manipulative designs. Furthermore, users in tier-2 and tier-3 cities were found to be 40% more likely to fall prey to these tactics. The paper identifies critical gaps in the 2019 Consumer Protection Act and evaluates emerging mitigation strategies, including AI-driven detection tools and ethical design paradigms. The findings argue for a transition from soft-law advisories to enforceable regulatory standards to build a sustainable and trustworthy digital marketplace.

Mrs. Nompi Raj, Omer Mohtesham, K.P.Mohamed Rifadh,"Analysing the Impact of Digital Dark Patterns on Consumer Decision-Making in E-Commerce" International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development, V9(2): Page(851-854) Mar-Apr 2026. ISSN: 2581-7175. www.ijsred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.