Letter of Complaint Writing | Complete Format & Examples for CBSE Students

Introduction

Letter writing remains a crucial part of the English curriculum in CBSE schools, especially for classes 9 to 12. Among various types of formal letters, the Letter of Complaint is frequently asked in exams and practical writing tasks.

A Letter of Complaint is written to express dissatisfaction or concern over an issue, product, service, or behavior. Whether it's a faulty product, poor service, or unethical conduct, this type of letter serves as a medium for students to learn how to voice their concerns effectively and formally. Understanding how to write it with correct format, tone, and structure is essential for scoring well and for real-life applications.

What is Letter of Complaint Writing?

A Letter of Complaint is a formal letter written to report a problem, express dissatisfaction, or seek redressal from an individual, company, school authority, or government agency. It highlights the issue clearly, provides necessary details, and often suggests or demands corrective action.

In CBSE exams, this letter type helps students build real-life communication skills while following a formal format.

Key Characteristics of a Complaint Letter:

• Formal and respectful tone: Even while expressing dissatisfaction, the tone should remain polite and professional.
• Specific issue addressed: Clear mention of the problem with details like date, product/service, etc.
• Logical and factual information: Avoid emotional language; focus on facts and expected resolution.
• Action-oriented: The letter should include a request or suggestion for action or compensation.

When Do Students Write Complaint Letters?

• To the principal regarding classroom or campus issues.
• To the editor about a civic issue.
• To a company about defective products or services.
• To municipal authorities regarding public inconvenience.

This letter-writing format is common in CBSE Class 9, 10, 11, and 12 English curriculum, appearing in both writing skills and comprehension sections.

Structure of Letter of Complaint Writing

Writing a good complaint letter requires following a formal and organized structure. CBSE prescribes a standard format that helps students convey their message clearly and professionally.

A well-structured complaint letter includes key elements such as the sender’s address, date, recipient’s address, subject line, salutation, body of the letter (introduction, issue, and resolution), and a formal closing.

CBSE Format for Letter of Complaint Writing

Pointers to Remember

• Keep the letter concise and relevant (word limit 120–150 words for exams).
• Use formal language, no contractions or slang.
• Mention dates, invoice numbers, locations or any evidence if needed.
• Clearly state what action you expect.

This structure ensures clarity and helps students meet CBSE exam expectations.

Examples of Letter of Complaint Writing

Below are 10 real-life complaint letter examples covering different contexts relevant to CBSE students from Classes 9 to 12. These are written as per the CBSE format and exam expectations.

Example 1: Complaint about a Defective Product Purchased Online

Sender’s Address
12B, Green Park Colony
Ranchi, Jharkhand – 834001

Date: 10 July 2025

Receiver’s Address
Customer Service Manager
ShopEase Online Pvt. Ltd.
Sector 45, Gurugram – 122003

Subject: Complaint regarding defective mobile phone delivered

Sir/Madam,
I recently ordered a mobile phone (Order ID: SE49837) from your website. On receiving the product on 5 July 2025, I found that the screen was cracked and the speaker was not functioning properly. I tried contacting your helpline, but received no satisfactory response.

Kindly arrange for a replacement or initiate a refund at the earliest. I am attaching a copy of the invoice and images of the product.

Yours faithfully,
Ankit Verma

Example 2: Complaint to the Principal about Cleanliness in School Washrooms

Sender’s Address
Class 10-B
Gyan Deep Public School
Agra, Uttar Pradesh – 282001

Date: 12 April 2025

Receiver’s Address
The Principal
Gyan Deep Public School
Agra, Uttar Pradesh – 282001

Subject: Complaint regarding unhygienic washroom conditions

Sir,
I am a student of Class 10-B and wish to bring to your attention the poor hygiene in the school washrooms. The toilets are often unclean and lack basic supplies like soap and water.

I request you to instruct the housekeeping staff to maintain cleanliness and ensure regular checks for hygiene.

Yours obediently,
Riya Sharma

Example 3: Complaint to Municipal Corporation about Waterlogging

Sender’s Address
46, Rose Garden Apartments
Saket, New Delhi – 110017

Date: 20 June 2025

Receiver’s Address
The Municipal Commissioner
South Delhi Municipal Corporation
New Delhi – 110024

Subject: Complaint about waterlogging in residential area

Sir/Madam,
Through this letter, I would like to highlight the issue of severe waterlogging in our area during monsoons. The stagnant water causes traffic disruptions and mosquito breeding.

We request the corporation to improve drainage systems and take preventive action before heavy rains begin.

Yours sincerely,
Manoj Kumar

Example 4: Complaint to Newspaper Editor about Noise Pollution

Sender’s Address
B-23, Ashok Vihar
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh – 208002

Date: 18 May 2025

Receiver’s Address
The Editor
The Times of India
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh – 208001

Subject: Rising concern over noise pollution in our locality

Sir,
I am a resident of Ashok Vihar and would like to express my concern over increasing noise levels due to loudspeakers and honking at night. It affects students and senior citizens.

I request you to publish this issue in your daily to draw attention of the authorities and encourage public cooperation.

Yours truly,
Kavita Mehra

Example 5: Complaint about Poor Internet Service

Sender’s Address
Flat No. 8, Tower C
Sunrise Residency
Mumbai – 400070

Date: 2 July 2025

Receiver’s Address
Customer Support Manager
SpeedNet Broadband Pvt. Ltd.
Andheri East, Mumbai – 400059

Subject: Frequent disconnection and poor internet speed

Sir/Madam,
I have been facing slow internet speed and frequent disconnections for over a week. Despite multiple complaints (Ticket No. 15287), the issue remains unresolved.

Please look into the matter urgently and resolve it at the earliest.

Yours sincerely,
Arjun Desai

Example 6: Complaint about Irregular Bus Service for Students

Sender’s Address
Class 11-C
Modern Public School
Ludhiana – 141001

Date: 25 January 2025

Receiver’s Address
The Principal
Modern Public School
Ludhiana – 141001

Subject: Complaint regarding irregularity of school bus service

Respected Sir,
We would like to bring to your notice that the school bus on Route 3 often arrives late and sometimes skips stops. This causes inconvenience to students and leads to late attendance.

We request you to take necessary action to ensure regularity in bus service.

Yours obediently,
Students of Class 11-C

Example 7: Complaint about Misbehavior of a Shopkeeper

Sender’s Address
Ram Pratap Singh
12, Civil Lines
Allahabad – 211001

Date: 16 March 2025

Receiver’s Address
The SHO
Civil Lines Police Station
Allahabad – 211001

Subject: Complaint about misbehavior and overcharging by a shopkeeper

Sir,
I want to report an incident that occurred on 15 March at Krishna General Store. The shopkeeper was rude and overcharged for basic groceries. When I questioned him, he used foul language.

Please take necessary steps against this unfair practice.

Yours sincerely,
Ram Pratap Singh

Example 8: Complaint to Bookstore for Wrong Book Delivery

Sender’s Address
Anushka Jain
D-56, Krishna Nagar
Jaipur – 302001

Date: 5 August 2025

Receiver’s Address
Manager
EduBooks Pvt. Ltd.
MI Road, Jaipur – 302001

Subject: Complaint regarding wrong books received in online order

Sir/Madam,
I ordered Class 12 CBSE Physics and Chemistry books (Order ID: EB2091), but received wrong titles. Kindly arrange for a replacement or refund.

I am attaching order confirmation and delivery receipt.

Yours faithfully,
Anushka Jain

Example 9: Complaint about Open Manhole on Road

Sender’s Address
56/2, Shivaji Nagar
Bhopal – 462003

Date: 22 July 2025

Receiver’s Address
The Chief Engineer
Bhopal Municipal Corporation
Bhopal – 462001

Subject: Complaint about open manhole posing danger to pedestrians

Sir/Madam,
I wish to draw your attention to an open manhole near Shivaji Market that poses a serious risk, especially to children and elderly.

Please take immediate action to cover it and prevent accidents.

Yours sincerely,
Ritesh Dubey

Example 10: Complaint about Delay in Courier Delivery

Sender’s Address
Reema Sinha
Flat 102, Maple Residency
Pune – 411014

Date: 1 July 2025

Receiver’s Address
Customer Care
Swift Express Couriers
Koregaon Park, Pune – 411001

Subject: Complaint regarding delay in parcel delivery

Sir/Madam,
My courier (Tracking ID: SX98273) was dispatched on 25 June but has not yet been delivered. The tracking page shows "in transit" for several days.

Kindly look into the matter urgently and ensure delivery.

Yours truly,
Reema Sinha

Tips for Letter of Complaint Writing

To write an effective and well-structured letter of complaint, students should pay close attention to clarity, tone, formatting, and content. These tips will help enhance both exam performance and real-life letter writing skills.

Key Tips to Remember

• ✅ Use formal and respectful language throughout the letter.
• ✅ Be clear, concise, and specific about the problem.
• ✅ Support your complaint with factual details such as date, location, order number, etc.
• ✅ Avoid emotional or aggressive language even if you are frustrated.
• ✅ Suggest a clear solution or action you expect.
• ✅ Keep within the word limit (120–150 words) in exams.
• ✅ Follow the proper format as per CBSE guidelines.
• ✅ Re-read and proofread for grammar or spelling errors.

Table: Common Mistakes vs Correct Approach

Guidelines for Letter of Complaint Writing

Subtext:

These guidelines are aligned with the CBSE curriculum and help students frame accurate, impactful, and examination-ready letters of complaint.

CBSE Letter of Complaint Writing Guidelines

CBSE Marking Scheme (As per Sample Papers on cbseacademic.nic.in)

By following these guidelines, students will be well-prepared to write high-scoring complaint letters for CBSE Class 9–12 board exams and real-life use.

Practice Questions: Letter of Complaint Writing

Below are 20 practice questions designed for students of CBSE Class 9 to 12. These help improve writing skills and prepare for board exams. Try to answer using the correct format, tone, and structure.

Practice Questions for Classwork and Homework

1. You purchased a pair of shoes from an online store. On delivery, you found the size incorrect. Write a letter of complaint to the Customer Care Manager.
2. Write a letter to the Principal of your school complaining about poor quality food served in the school canteen.
3. You are a resident of Sector 22, Noida. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner complaining about irregular garbage collection in your area.
4. Write a complaint letter to the editor of a local newspaper about the rising incidents of chain snatching in your locality.
5. Write to the local electricity board regarding frequent power cuts in your area, which are affecting students’ studies.
6. Write a complaint letter to the transport authority about the poor condition of public buses in your city.
7. You recently stayed at a hotel and were unhappy with their service. Write a complaint letter to the Hotel Manager.
8. Write a letter to the mobile service provider regarding overcharging in your recent bill.
9. You ordered a study table online, but it arrived damaged. Write a letter to the vendor requesting a replacement.
10. Write a letter to the Post Office Department regarding non-delivery of an important courier.
11. You bought a refrigerator with a one-year warranty, but it stopped working in two months. Write to the manufacturer.
12. Write a complaint letter to the Principal regarding students bullying others in the school corridor.
13. You were denied entry to a school library without a valid reason. Write a complaint to the Vice Principal.
14. Write a letter to the railway authority about poor cleanliness in a train coach you recently traveled in.
15. You are a hostel student facing issues with water supply. Write a complaint to the warden.
16. You received expired medicine from a medical store. Write a complaint letter requesting immediate action.
17. Write to the traffic police department regarding illegal parking in front of your school gate.
18. A nearby factory is releasing harmful smoke affecting residents' health. Write to the Pollution Control Board.
19. The elevator in your apartment complex has not been working for a week. Write a complaint to the housing society secretary.
20. Your school bus driver is often late and drives rashly. Write a complaint to the Transport Incharge of your school.

Encourage students to attempt these questions using the correct formal letter format, focusing on clarity, structure, and tone as per CBSE standards.

Conclusion

Writing a Letter of Complaint is an essential skill for CBSE students, not just for exams but also for practical life situations. It teaches learners how to express grievances in a respectful, formal, and solution-oriented manner.

Whether it's about a faulty product, poor service, or civic concern, the ability to communicate issues effectively through written words holds immense value.

By following the proper structure, tone, and language guidelines provided in this article—and practising regularly with real-life examples and exercises—students of Class 9 to 12 can master this important form of formal writing.

Stick to CBSE guidelines, keep your message clear and to the point, and always suggest a constructive resolution.

For latest updates and formats, refer to the official CBSE website: cbseacademic.nic.in