10/03/2026
Restaurants have been fined up to ₹50,000 for adding mandatory service charge by the CCPA.
These unfair practices take place despite already established laws which state that l
1. Restaurants and hotels cannot add service charge automatically or by default to your bill.
2. They cannot collect it under any other name such as facility fee, staff charge, and so on.
3. They must tell you it is voluntary and optional.
4. They cannot deny entry or service if you refuse to pay it.
5. They cannot add service charge to the bill and then levy GST on that amount.
If you come across such a situation, you have the right to tell them to remove it from your bill, and upon refusal, you can call the National Consumer Helpline number 1915 or use the NCH app, among other remedies.
