CCI recovered 46% of ₹2,888 cr penalty in last 3 years: Annual report

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) in the last three financial years levied a penalty of ₹2,888 crore on companies, recovering 46 per cent of the total amount, its annual report showed. However, in 2024-25 (FY25), only 0.23 per cent of penalty was recovered by the antitrust regulator since the most significant penalty of ₹213.14 crore, imposed on Meta for abusing its dominant position through WhatsApp's 2021 Privacy Policy, was stayed by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).

 

In FY25, the CCI realised a total penalty of ₹50 lakh from two entities —India Business Excellence Fund-IV and Goldman Sachs (India) Alternative Investment Management Private Limited. These penalties were levied under Section 43A of the Competition Act, which comes into play when a party fails to comply with the Commission’s directions or orders or fails to provide the required information. 

So far, the CCI has received only one settlement and one commitment applications, which are still under process. Companies can, without admission of guilt, opt for settlement or commitment option and provide a full and true disclosure of facts in respect of the alleged contraventions of the Act.

 

While the option of offering a commitment scheme is open to a company only till 45 days after a prima facie order for investigation is passed by the CCI, a company can opt for a settlement after the investigation report has been filed by the director general (DG), CCI.

 

The latter would require the company to pay up a settlement amount, which could extend up to the maximum amount of penalty under the Act. For commitment, however, no amount has to be paid except the application fee.

 

The annual report showed that the CCI received 37 antitrust information in FY25 compared to 50 in FY24 and 42 in FY23. Investigation by the DG, CCI was completed in 16 cases during FY25 against 18 in FY24 and 24 and FY23.

 

The total number of combinations or mergers approved or disposed of in FY25 went up to 138 from 101 in the previous year. According to CCI data, the number of days to clear a merger application has come down to 16 days in FY25 compared to 21 days in FY23.

 

“A robust competition law and policy framework plays a pivotal role in promoting economic growth and enhancing consumer welfare. The Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring a level-playing field and nurturing healthy competition among market participants,” CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur said in a statement.