Archive · 17 Sep 2026
India Orders Cab Aggregators to End Advance Tipping Practices
The Indian government says cab apps should not ask riders for tips before a ride starts.
Officials said tipping should be voluntary and decided after the ride.
They said some passengers were led to believe that paying a tip could help them get a ride.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority investigated Rapido.
It fined Rapido’s operator ₹10 lakh for several alleged unfair practices.
The CCPA said Rapido first showed a fare and then asked riders to pay more when drivers did not accept it.
Messages suggested that paying more might increase the chance of getting a ride.
Officials called this pressure tactic “Confirm Shaming,” a type of dark pattern.
Investigations into Uber and Ola are still underway.
The government directed cab aggregators to discontinue tipping options offered before rides are booked.
Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said advance tipping was misleading and an unfair trade practice.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority fined Rapido operator Roppen Transportation Services ₹10 lakh.
The CCPA said Rapido prompted riders to pay more during booking, suggesting higher payments could improve ride availability.
Investigations into Uber and Ola continue, while Uber, Ola, Rapido and Namma Yatri received dark-pattern notices.
- Who
- The Central Consumer Protection Authority, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare, and cab aggregators including Rapido, Uber, Ola and Namma Yatri.
- What
- The government ordered cab aggregators to stop offering advance tipping, while the CCPA fined Rapido’s operator ₹10 lakh over alleged unfair practices.
- When
- The directive was announced on Wednesday, one day after the CCPA announced the Rapido penalty.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Officials said advance tipping and prompts to pay more could mislead or pressure consumers and amount to unfair trade practices.
- Penalty
- ₹10 lakh imposed on Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited, which operates Rapido.
- Tipping rule
- Tipping should remain voluntary and be left to consumers’ discretion after a ride.
- Regulator
- The Central Consumer Protection Authority issued the penalty and directed discontinuation of the advance-tipping mechanism.
- Rapido prompts
- The app displayed messages including “Higher the price, higher the chance of getting a ride” and suggestions to add ₹10, ₹20 or ₹30.
- Dark pattern
- The CCPA classified the practice as “Confirm Shaming” under the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023.
- Other investigations
- The CCPA is examining the business practices of Uber and Ola.
- Sector review
- The broader review covers pre-ride tipping and dynamic pricing among cab and bike-taxi aggregators.
Sources
Centre tells cab apps to stop request for tips before rides, cites unfair trade practice - Telegraph India
Centre Asks Ola, Uber, Rapido To Do Away With Advance Tipping Option
Uber, Ola and other cab aggregators directed to cease advance tipping option; govt calls it ‘misleading, unfair’