India's Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has fined 27 restaurants up to Rs 50,000 each for mandatorily levying service charges, deeming it an unfair trade practice. Restaurants were ordered to refund collected charges and modify billing systems. This action aligns with CCPA guidelines issued in July 2022 and a Delhi High Court ruling in March 2025, which affirmed that mandatory service charges are illegal and optional for consumers.