A Dissertation on

A Critical Study on the Evolution of Competition Policy and

Competition Law in India

Submitted to GGSIPU in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of

L.L.M (MASTERS OF LAW)

CORPORATE LAW

Batch: 2025-2026

Submitted To Submitted by
Deepika Sejwal Roshni Harachandani
Designation: Enrolment ID No. :
Assistant Professor 02790147025

Fairfield Institute of Management And Technology

Affiliated to Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi
i
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude and sincere appreciation to my dissertation
supervisor, Ms. Deepika Sejwal, Assistant Professor, Fairfield Institute of Management and Technology
(FIMT), for her invaluable guidance, patience, and continuous encouragement throughout the course of
this research. Her profound knowledge and critical insights were instrumental in shaping this dissertation
titled "A Critical Study on the Evolution of Competition Policy and Competition Law in India".

I also extend my heartfelt thanks to the Head of the Department and the entire faculty of L.L.M (Corporate
Law) at Fairfield Institute of Management and Technology, New Delhi, for providing a stimulating
academic environment and the necessary resources to undertake this study.
Special thanks go out to the university library staff for their assistance in accessing the essential journals,
law commission reports, and texts that formed the backbone of my literature review.

I am deeply indebted to my family and friends, especially Adv. Shubham Gupta, for their unwavering
emotional support, understanding, and belief in me during the challenging and time-consuming phases
of writing this dissertation.

Finally, I would like to thank all the legal professionals, peers, and authors whose earlier research and
insights into competition law directly or indirectly contributed to my understanding of this complex
subject.
Any errors, flaws, or omissions in this work remain entirely my own.

Roshni Harachandani
Enrolment ID No.: 02790147025
L.L.M (Corporate Law)

ii
 Fairfield Institute of Management And Technology
Bijwasan Road Kapashera, New Delhi-110037 Phone No. 011-25063208/10
Email-collegefairfield@[Link], Website- [Link]

FORWADING CERTIFICATE

WHEREAS, under LLM Degree Course of Study and Examination, a student is required to write a
Dissertation carrying 100 marks on the subject approved in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the
degree of LLM of the FAIRFIELD INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY,
NEW DELHI;
AND WHEREAS, ROSHNI HARACHANDANI has been permitted to write a Dissertation on
“A Critical Study on the Evolution of Competition Policy and Competition Law in India” for LLM
Examination of 2026 of the FAIRFIELD INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY,
NEW DELHI;

NOW THEREUPON, ROSHNI HARACHANDANI has submitted the said dissertation which is
being forwarded to the CONTOLLER OF EXAMINATION, FAIRFIELD INSTITUTE OF
MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY, NEW DELHI; for necessary action.

Date: 08.05.2026

DEEPIKA SEJWAL,
ASSITANT PROFESSOR

iii
 Declaration

I, ROSHNI HARACHANDANI, hereby declare that the Dissertation work titled “A Critical Study on the
Evolution Of Competition Policy and Competition Law in India” is an original work done by me under
the supervision of Ms. DEEPIKA SEJWAL, Fairfield Institute of Management and Technology, New Delhi.

I further declare that to the best of my knowledge this LLM dissertation does not contain any part which has
been submitted for the award of any degree either in this Institution or in any other Institutions without proper
citations. This dissertation work is done by me in adherence to the FIMT-Anti-Plagiarism and Academic
Integrity Policy 2023-24.

Date: 08.08.2026 ROSHNI HARACHANDANI

iv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements……………………………………………… ii
Forwarding Certificate…………………..……………………..... iii
Declaration…………………………………………………… iv
List of Cases…………………………………………………… vii
List of Abbreviations……………………………………………… viii
Preface…………………………………………………………… ix

1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................1
1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................2
1.2 Review of Literature .......................................................................................................18
1.3 Statement of the Problem and Research Questions ........................................................20
1.4 Objective of Study ..........................................................................................................21
1.4.1 Other Objectives ................................................................................................21
1.5 Hypothesis ......................................................................................................................22
1.6 Research Methodology ...................................................................................................22
1.7 Table of Contents: Summary of Chapters.......................................................................23
1.8 Scope and Limitations ....................................................................................................23
2 Competition Act, 2002: Issues and Highlights..................................................................25
2.1 Highlights of the Competition Act .................................................................................26
2.1.1 Economies of Competition Law ........................................................................27
2.1.2 Applicability of the Act ......................................................................................27
2.1.3 Jurisdiction .........................................................................................................28
2.1.4 Consumer disputes and Competition law ..........................................................28
2.1.5 Transfer of cases from MRTP to Consumer Act 2002 .......................................28
2.1.6 Main Regulations ...............................................................................................28
2.1.7 Important Definitions under the Act ..................................................................30
2.1.8 Main Concepts under the Act .............................................................................31
2.2 Anti-Competitive Agreements ........................................................................................33
2.2.1 Competition: Meaning .......................................................................................36
2.2.2 Agreement: Meaning..........................................................................................36
2.2.3 Horizontal and Vertical Agreements ..................................................................37
2.3 Abuse of Dominance ......................................................................................................40
2.3.1 Meaning of Abuse ..............................................................................................41
2.3.2 Meaning of Dominant Position ..........................................................................42
2.3.3 Definition of Relevant Market ...........................................................................42
2.3.4 Artificial Intelligence and Relevant Market .......................................................43
2.3.5 Relevant Product Market and Geographical Market .........................................48
2.3.6 Predatory Pricing ...............................................................................................49
2.3.7 Process of Dealing with Abuse of a Dominant Position ....................................50
2.3.8 Procedural aspects under the Competition Act for abuse of dominant position 53
2.3.9 Regulation of Combinations ..............................................................................54
2.3.10 Meaning of Combination .................................................................................56
2.3.11 Thresholds for Combinations under the Act ....................................................57
2.3.12 Directions of the CCI .......................................................................................58
2.3.13 Procedural Details ............................................................................................58
v
 2.3.14 Certain Areas of Concern .................................................................................59
2.3.15 Post Enquiry Measures ....................................................................................59
2.3.16 Penalties under the Act ....................................................................................60
2.3.17 Proposed Amendments in Competition Act .....................................................61
2.3.18 Regulations under Competition Act .................................................................62
2.3.19 World Trade Organisation Competition Policies and Indian Compliance .......63
2.4 Competition Law and Intellectual Property Rights ........................................................63
2.4.1 Objectives of Competition Laws and Intellectual Property Laws .....................63
2.4.2 Competition and IPR Relationship ....................................................................64
2.4.3 Laws on Competition and IPR interface in Different Jurisdictions ...................65
2.4.4 TRIPS on IPR-Competition Interface ................................................................68
2.4.5 Conclusion .........................................................................................................69
3 Competition Commission of India (CCI): Role and Functions ......................................71
3.1 Role and Effectiveness of CCI .......................................................................................72
3.1.1 Competition Commission of India (CCI) ..........................................................74
3.1.2 Principles of CCI ...............................................................................................75
3.1.3 General Provisions Regarding CCI....................................................................75
3.2 Inquiry and Orders by CCI .............................................................................................79
3.2.1 Commission has Powers of Civil Court .............................................................82
3.2.2 Private Enforcement ..........................................................................................82
3.2.3 Post-Decisional Options ....................................................................................84
3.2.4 Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) and National Company Law Tribunal
(NCLAT) .....................................................................................................................85
3.2.5 Penal Provisions .................................................................................................88
3.3 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................96
4 Jurisprudential Analysis .....................................................................................................97
4.1 Pursuance for a better economy .....................................................................................98
4.2 Landmark Decisions of Competition Commission ......................................................101
4.2.1 Bid rigging in a tender floated by the Railways ..............................................101
4.2.2 Abuse of dominant position in alcoholic beverages market ............................102
5 Conclusion and Suggestions .............................................................................................104
5.1 Journey Revisited .........................................................................................................105
5.2 Impact of Competition Law in Indian Liberalized Economy .......................................107
5.3 Conclusion and Suggestions ......................................................................................... 110

Bibliography ......................................................................................................................... 114

APPENDICES…………...…………………………………………………………………115

vi
 List of Cases

 Samir Agarwal v. Ani Technologies (Case no 37 of 2018)

 All Odisha Steel Federation v. Odisha Mining Corporation Limited (2013 Comp LR 746(CCI))
 Vallal Peruman and Others v. Godfrey Phillips India Limited ((1995) 16 CLA 201)
 Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. v. Steel Authority of India Ltd
 Belaire Owners Association v. DLF Limited
 Kapoor Glass Private Limited v. Schott Glass Private Limited
 GKB Hitech Lenses Private Limited v. Transition Optical India Private Limited
 Kasan News P. Limited v. Fastway Transmission Private Limited & Ors
 Print India v. Springer (India) Private Limited
 Samir Agrawal vs CCI & Anr. (Supreme Court, Dec 15, 2020)
 Monsanto Holding Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. vs. CCI & Ors. (Delhi High Court, May 20, 2020)
 Major Pankaj Rai vs. CCI (NCLAT, May 29, 2020)
 Amir Khan Productions case
 Ericsson case

vii
 List of Abbreviations

Abbreviation Full Form

AAE Appreciable Adverse Effect
AI Artificial Intelligence
BSE Bombay Stock Exchange
CBB Composite Brake Block
CCI Competition Commission of India
COMPAT Competition Appellate Tribunal
DG Director General
DGCA Director General of Civil Aviation
DGI&R Director General of Investigation and
Registration
DoJ Department of Justice (US)
EEC European Economic Community
EU European Union
GMVNL Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd.
IMFL Indian Made Foreign Liquor
IPR Intellectual Property Rights
IRDA Insurance Regulatory Development
Authority
KMVNL Kumaun Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd.
MIC Monopolies Inquiry Commission
MRTP Monopolies and Restrictive Trade
Practices
NCLAT National Company Law Appellate
Tribunal
NSE National Stock Exchange
R&D Research and Development
RBI Reserve Bank of India
RDSO Research Designs and Standards
Organisation
SEBI Securities and Exchange Board of
India
TFEU Treaty on the Functioning of the
European Union
TRAI Telecom Regulatory Authority of
India
TRIPS Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property Rights
UAPMB Uttarakhand Agricultural Produce
Marketing Board
UPA United Progressive Alliance
WTO World Trade Organisation
viii
 PREFACE

The transformation of India's economic landscape from a command-and-control structure to a liberalized,

free-market economy has been one of the most defining shifts of the modern era. With this economic
liberalization came the necessity for a robust legal framework to ensure that market competition remains
fair, healthy, and beneficial to consumers and emerging enterprises alike. This realization led to the crucial
transition from the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP) Act, 1969, to the contemporary
Competition Act, 2002, marking a watershed moment in Indian corporate jurisprudence.

This dissertation, titled “A Critical Study on the Evolution of Competition Policy and Competition Law in
India,” is born out of a deep academic interest in understanding the intricacies of this transition and
evaluating the efficacy of the current competition regime. The core objective of this research is to trace
the jurisprudential development of competition law in India, critically analyzing its role in regulating anti-
competitive agreements, preventing the abuse of dominant market positions, and overseeing complex
combinations in an increasingly digital and globalized economy.

Through a detailed study of the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) regulatory and adjudicatory
mechanisms, along with an exploration of emerging challenges such as the intersection of Intellectual
Property Rights (IPR) and competition law, this work aims to highlight both the achievements and the
prevailing lacunae in the current legal framework.

It is my sincere hope that this comprehensive study provides valuable insights to academicians, legal
practitioners, and policymakers, and contributes meaningfully to the ongoing discourse on fostering a truly
equitable and competitive market environment in India.

Roshni Harachandani
Enrolment ID No.: 02790147025
L.L.M (Corporate Law)

ix