New Antitrust Framework Strengthens CCI’s Grip on Market Practices

India’s competition regulator, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) , is witnessing a marked rise in enforcement activity following sweeping legal reforms aimed at modernising the country’s antitrust framework. Data placed before Parliament by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs shows that during calendar year 2025, the regulator registered 54 antitrust cases and received 149 merger and acquisition filings , highlighting the growing complexity of India’s markets. The developments follow the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023 , which introduced structural changes to speed up case disposal, strengthen oversight, and address emerging risks in digital sectors. A key provision allows penalties to be calculated on the basis of a company’s global turnover , significantly increasing the deterrent impact of enforcement.

Cases against large conglomerates are not filed only by the government; complaints often come from rival companies , industry associations , consumers , and sometimes government departments, while the CCI can also initiate probes suo motu based on market intelligence or studies. The regulator typically examines cartelisation , including price-fixing and bid rigging; abuse of dominant position such as predatory pricing or denial of market access; and anti-competitive agreements across supply chains. It also conducts merger reviews to prevent excessive market concentration and scrutinises digital market practices , where concerns like algorithmic collusion and data control are rising.

Several high-profile matters underline this active enforcement phase. InterGlobe Aviation , parent of IndiGo, is under investigation over alleged conduct that may have restricted capacity and affected competition, with the probe still ongoing. Legal proceedings involving Meta Platforms and WhatsApp continue in appellate forums after a monetary penalty was upheld while certain operational aspects remain under judicial review. In the e-commerce segment, matters concerning Flipkart are also undergoing legal examination following directions from higher courts. Many investigations remain confidential until final orders are issued, and outcomes range from cease-and-desist orders to financial penalties or case closures.

Procedural reforms have reduced the merger approval timeline to 150 days and introduced a settlement and commitment framework , enabling quicker resolution of cases. The Green Channel route further allows deemed approval for non-problematic mergers. Meanwhile, a CCI market study on artificial intelligence has flagged risks such as market concentration , ecosystem lock-in , and AI-driven price discrimination , recommending self-compliance audits, improved transparency, and stronger inter-regulatory cooperation. Together, these measures signal a shift toward a more proactive and globally aligned competition regime, with the CCI playing an expanding role in balancing corporate growth, consumer welfare , and fair market competition.