CCPA acts against 41 restaurants for adding service charge by default
Key facts
- The Central Consumer Protection Authority took suo motu action against 41 restaurants in July 2026.
- They had added service charge to bills by default, based on National Consumer Helpline complaints.
- Penalties were imposed, and the restaurants were told to stop automatic service charges.
- Service charge is voluntary; consumers can complain on helpline 1915.
Why it matters
[Polity] The CCPA was set up under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Its 2022 guidelines bar restaurants from adding service charge by default. Courts have upheld these guidelines.
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