Published Paper Details:

This research paper critically examines the nature, prevalence, and regulatory treatment of anti-competitive agreements in India, focusing on their implications for market competition, consumer welfare, and broader economic development. It begins by tracing the evolution of competition regulation from the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 to the more modern and dynamic Competition Act, 2002. Emphasis is placed on the comprehensive framework instituted under Section 3 of the Act, which prohibits agreements that have or are likely to have an appreciable adverse effect on competition (AAEC). Through a rigorous analysis of horizontal and vertical agreements, the study evaluates the institutional role of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), as well as the interpretative functions performed by the judiciary, including the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) and the Supreme Court. The research combines doctrinal analysis with sector-specific case studies, highlighting enforcement patterns in traditional sectors such as cement and pharmaceuticals and examining emerging challenges in digital markets including algorithmic collusion. International jurisprudence, particularly from the EU and US, is used for comparative insights. The paper concludes with substantive policy and enforcement recommendations aimed at improving legal clarity, enhancing institutional capacity, and promoting economic efficiency. Ultimately, it underscores the need for a recalibrated and proactive regulatory approach to protect market integrity in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.