India, Aug. 13 -- The Centre has ordered ride-hailing platforms to stop prompting passengers to pay tips before or during a trip, saying the practice violates the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines and can mislead consumers.

Tips, it said, must remain voluntary and can be offered only after the ride is completed.

No tip prompts before ride ends

The Road Transport Ministry, in a notification, flagged the practice of ride aggregators displaying options such as "Advance Tip", "Choose an Add-on" and prompts suggesting that a tip could improve the chances of getting a ride.

Under Clause 14.15 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, the tip option can be displayed only after the journey has been completed.

It cannot be made available ...