National and International Affairs
CCPA initiates suo motu action against 41 restaurants over default service charge
PIB said the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) initiated suo motu action against 41 restaurants across the country for levying service charge by default on consumers' bills. The action followed complaints received through the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), supported by invoices.
CCPA found that the automatic levy violated its guidelines on service charge in hotels and restaurants and amounts to an unfair trade practice under Section 2(47) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Key facts
- Restaurants targeted: 41
- Authority: Central Consumer Protection Authority
- Complaint channel: National Consumer Helpline
- Provision: Section 2(47), Consumer Protection Act, 2019
Exam takeaway: Unfair trade practice is defined in Section 2(47) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Quick revision: CCPA acts against 41 restaurants over service charge (PIB, 19 July 2026).
Press Information Bureau original source