Whalesbook
India's Competition Commission of India issued 49 antitrust orders and approved 103 combinations in 2025. The CCI's actions covered vertical restraints, price-fixing, and abuse of dominant positions across major industries. Appellate bodies, including the Supreme Court and NCLAT, clarified legal principles, while new regulations and market studies on AI and Big Tech signal future enforcement directions.
Enforcement Actions and Verdicts
The CCI's enforcement actions spanned various anti-competitive practices. Section 3 cases saw findings against exclusive content supply agreements imposed on cinema owners and price-fixing by book publishers. Under Section 4, investigations were initiated for alleged abuse of dominant positions involving exclusivity deals for paints and denial of market access for basketball events by the Basketball Federation of India.
Landmark Combination Approvals
Mergers and acquisitions, requiring CCI notification for deals exceeding ₹2,000 crore, saw significant approvals. Key transactions included Ambuja Cements' acquisition of Orient Cement, Tata Electronics' stake in Pegatron India, and multiple approvals for acquisitions related to Jaiprakash Associates Limited under insolvency proceedings, involving parties like Dalmia Cement and Adani Enterprises.
Appellate Authority Clarifications
The Supreme Court underscored the need for concrete evidence of harm to competition, particularly regarding rebates, while NCLAT affirmed CCI's jurisdiction over data-related conduct but modified penalty directions for WhatsApp. These rulings provide crucial clarity on the application of competition law principles and procedural aspects.
Policy and Future Outlook
New regulations were introduced, including frameworks for determining production costs and recovering monetary penalties. Market studies on AI and Big Tech identified potential risks such as algorithmic collusion and increased entry barriers. Looking ahead, 2026 promises continued enforcement, potential revival of the Digital Competition Bill, and enhanced coordination between sectoral regulators and the CCI.