The Competition Commission of India (CCI) demonstrated unwavering vigilance in 2025 by registering 54 cases against anti-competitive practices and reviewing 149 M&A proposals, as informed by Minister of State Harsh Malhotra in Parliament.
Comparative data from 2024 shows 38 conclusive rulings on similar violations and 146 merger clearances, indicating sustained regulatory momentum.
Driving these efforts are transformative updates via the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023. With rules now in force, fines are calibrated to global turnovers, ensuring multinationals face commensurate accountability unlike before.
The CCI’s 2024 Monetary Penalty Guidelines introduce precision, evaluating penalties through a multi-criteria lens including violation nature and remedial actions taken.
Time-bound efficiencies stand out: merger timelines reduced to 150 days, bolstered by settlement and commitment pathways for amicable resolutions. The Green Channel mechanism grants instant approvals for benign combinations, slashing wait times dramatically.
Malhotra’s insights highlight a forward-thinking approach, aligning enforcement with business realities. In an era of rapid consolidations and tech disruptions, these reforms safeguard market integrity while spurring growth, cementing CCI’s role as a cornerstone of economic fairness.