Anti-Trust Trends 2025

In 2024, the Indian antitrust regulator (CCI) had taken proactive stance on safeguarding market competition, issuing 11 prima facie orders and imposing penalties of INR 213.14 crore in total. Key developments include judicial recognition of private settlements, though legislative clarity is still awaited. The CCI expanded its jurisdiction over data-driven markets, notably in the WhatsApp–Meta case, emphasizing that anti-competitive policies related to data can constitute abuse of dominance. On the other hand, CCI restricted the contours of its jurisdiction in contractual disputes, consumer complaints, and IPR issues. 

Strict enforcement of the three-year limitation period for filing cases signals a shift toward procedural discipline. The CCI again clarified that definition of ‘enterprise’ covers non-commercial entities like sports federations, while sovereign functions remain exempt. Cartel cases face higher evidentiary standards, requiring “plus factors” beyond price parallelism to establish violation of Section 3(3) of the Competition Act, 2002. The CCI increasingly applies an effects-based approach in abuse of dominance cases, intervening even on likely anti-competitive harm. Penalty guidelines now adopt a structured method, with global turnover as a potential base and mitigating factors influencing final amounts. 

Overall, businesses must prioritize compliance, fairness in business practices, and timely action to avoid regulatory risks. Digital markets, AI, and digital platform ecosystems remain key enforcement priorities for the CCI. 

Please feel free to reach out to our Team to discuss any of the Technology Law, Competition Law and Policy Issues.

To view the full article, download the file below :

Antitrust-Enforcement-Trends-2025_India.pdf

Download PDF • 2.01MB