Competition Commission of India

Competition Commission of India Latest News

The CCI raided GroupM, Dentsu, IPG Media brands, and the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) for allegedly fixing IPL ad rates and discounts.

About Competition Commission of India

• Established in 2009 under the Competition Act, 2002, the CCI became fully operational on May 20, 2009, when substantive provisions related to anti-trust enforcement and merger regulation came into force.
• Initially conceptualized in 2003, it replaced the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act (MRTP), 1969, aligning with India’s post-liberalization economic reforms.

Composition

• Headed by a Chairperson and six members appointed by the Central Government, ensuring expertise in law, economics, finance, and international trade.
• Acts as a quasi-judicial body, providing opinions to statutory authorities and adjudicating competition-related cases.
• Members must have at least 15 years of professional experience and serve a five-year term, fostering informed decision-making in complex market cases.

Functions of CCI

• Preventing anti-competitive practices: Investigates and penalises cartels, price-fixing, and market manipulation.
  • Ex: In 2022, the CCI imposed a ₹1,337 crore penalty on Google for abusing its dominance in the Android ecosystem.
• Regulating abuse of dominance: It also prevents companies from using market power unfairly, such as through predatory pricing or restrictive trade practices.
  • Ex: CCI’s probe into Apple's in-app payment monopoly.
• Controlling mergers & acquisitions: It ensures mergers do not create monopolies or reduce competition.
  • Ex: CCI’s scrutiny of Jio-Star India merger to prevent media dominance.
• Ensuring consumer protection: Monitors unfair trade practices to protect consumer rights and market fairness.
• Advising the Government: It provides opinions on competition issues when referred by statutory authorities.

Competition Commission of India FAQs

Q1. What is the Competition Commission of India (CCI)?
Ans. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body established under the Competition Act, 2002 to promote and ensure fair competition in the Indian market.

Q2. How does CCI enforce competition laws?
Ans. CCI investigates anti-competitive practices, imposes penalties, and issues directives to businesses violating the Competition Act.

Q3. Who can file a complaint with CCI?
Ans. Any individual, company, or association affected by anti-competitive practices can file a complaint with CCI.

Q4. How does CCI regulate mergers and acquisitions?
Ans. CCI reviews M&A deals above a certain threshold to ensure they do not harm competition. It can approve, modify, or reject transactions.

Source: FE