Advance tips to drivers: Consumer Protection Authority issues notice to Uber on app feature
Bengaluru: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued a notice on Wednesday to taxi booking app Uber regarding a feature where it prompts users booking rides to pay tips in advance to drivers.
In a post on his ‘X’ account, Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has expressed concern regarding the issue, saying it was unethical as well as exploitative of the agency to force or nudge users to tip the drivers in advance to ensure a faster service. He also clarified that the actions amounted to unfair trade practice, adding that a tip was given as a token of appreciation after the service rather than as a matter of right, according to a report by The Indian Express.
Joshi said that, taking cognizance of this, he had asked the CCPA to handle the matter, following which, the CCPA had issued a notice to Uber on Wednesday, demanding an explanation on the feature of advance tipping the drivers. The minister also stressed on the need to uphold fairness, transparency and accountability in all customer interactions.
While traditional tipping occurs after service and based on the quality of the service rendered to the customers, forward tipping is designated to incentivize the drivers to accept a ride by offering additional payment.
CCPA is known to have taken action against Uber following complaints by several users, who pointed out that the aggregators had been seeking ‘tips before trips’. The system was also found to be unchallenged by transport departments across states.
Urban mobility expert Satya Arikutharam has opined that, using the app feature, the customers were being forced often to pay tips only to book rides, adding that the system showed the drivers becoming unprofessional by accepting trips only if the consumers offered them tips.
Incidentally, Namma Yatri, the Bengaluru-based auto-hailing app that had been launched in November 2022, was among the first to introduce the advance tipping system in the ride-hailing ecosystem in India. The platform operates on a zero-commission model, where drivers keep 100 per cent of their base fares, and implemented tipping as an additional feature on its app. A year later, by late 2023, Rapido incorporated tipping into its service.
Uber was the latest ride-hailing firm to adopt this feature, having introduced advance tipping only last month. The app, however, introduced the post-service tipping globally back in 2017.
Sources have said that offering drivers tips upfront has become an industry norm with different names. Some platforms that did not pay 5 per cent GST claimed that they have a SaaS (Software as a Service) model and got drivers to earn more through tips. All members in the system, however, moved to this new model eventually, to avoid an unfair advantage, the sources added.
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Passing out parade held at IMA Dehradun, 491 young officers join Indian Army
Dehradun(PTI): After undergoing rigorous training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, 491 cadets participated in a grand Passing Out Parade on Saturday and will now be commissioned as officers in the Indian Army.
The spectacular parade, held at the historic Drill Square in front of the academy's Chatwood Building, was reviewed by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who served as the reviewing officer.
Along with 491 Indian cadets, 34 foreign cadets from 14 friendly countries also participated in the Autumn Term 2025 Passing Out Parade.
A total of 525 officer cadets from the 157th Regular Course, 46th Technical Entry Scheme, 140th Technical Graduate Course, 55th Special Commissioned Officers Course, and Territorial Army Online Entrance Exam 2023 Course participated in the Passing Out Parade.
The 'Sword of Honour' and gold medal for securing first place during training was awarded to ACA Nishkal Dwivedi, the silver medal to BUO Badal Yadav for second place, and the bronze medal to SUO Kamaljeet Singh for third place.
The silver medal for securing first place in the 'Technical Graduate Course' was awarded to Officer Cadet Jadhav Sujit Sampat, and the silver medal for first place in the 'Technical Entry Scheme-46' was awarded to WCC Abhinav Mehrotra.
The silver medal for the 'Special Commission Officer Course' was given to Officer Cadet Sunil Kumar Chhetri.
Among the foreign cadets, the first place in merit was secured by JUO Mohammad Safin Ashraf from Bangladesh. The Army Chief's Banner for overall best performance in the Autumn Term was awarded to Imphal Company.
As the parade concluded, helicopters showered flowers on the newly commissioned officers from the sky.
On this occasion, General Dwivedi congratulated the new officers in his address for successfully completing their training. He praised the young officers for their high level of discipline, leadership qualities, and endurance, and urged them to uphold the glorious traditions of the Indian Army and serve the nation with loyalty, commitment, and honour.
General Dwivedi said that joining the army marks the beginning of a lifelong duty and selfless service.
The parents and guardians of the newly commissioned officers were also present during the passing out parade.
