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Informist, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026

 

NEW DELHI – The Competition Commission of India has extended the timelines for companies committing to make behavioral changes in the antitrust cases against them. The companies can now file commitment applications with the competition regulator in 60 days, rather than the earlier 45 days timeline. In addition, the antitrust regulator increased the period available for its preliminary consideration of commitment applications from seven to 15 working days and the total timeline from 130 to 180 days. 

 

A commitment application allows businesses facing antitrust inquiries for vertical agreements or abuse of dominance to voluntarily offer behavioral or structural remedies. Filed pre-investigation report, this mechanism fast-tracks dispute resolution without a formal admission or finding of guilt. This involves a review by the competition regulator, inviting public or third-party objections or comments, and subsequent passing of a binding commitment order if accepted. 

 

The antitrust regulator said that in The Competition Commission of India (Commitment) Regulations, 2024, certain administrative and procedural issues were identified, particularly in relation to prescribed timelines, rectification of defects in applications, and adjustment of fees. Thereafter, draft amendments were put up by the antitrust body for suggestions to provide clarity, ensure procedural certainty, and facilitate smoother administration of the framework. 

 

Stakeholders broadly welcomed the proposed amendments, particularly the extension of the timeline for filing commitment applications from 45 days to 60 days as well as the increase in the period available to the competition commission for preliminary consideration of these applications from seven working days to 15 working days and extending the total timeline from 130 days to 180 days, said the antitrust body. Accordingly, the amendments were notified in the official gazette of India, it said.

 

The competition regulator said that some stakeholders suggested that commitment applications should be permitted at any stage before the submission of the director general investigation report. The Competition Commission of India, however, is of the view that the commitment mechanism is intended to facilitate early market correction and promote prompt resolution of competition concerns while conserving the investigative resources of both the commission and the director general, it said. Allowing commitment application until submission of the investigation report would reduce procedural certainty, undermine the objective of early intervention and delay the inquiry process, it said. The prescribed period of 60 days, together with a discretionary extension of up to 30 days upon sufficient cause being shown, strikes an appropriate balance between procedural flexibility and regulatory efficiency, it added.

 

The tribunal also noted some stakeholders' suggestion that the proposed outer time limit of 180 working days for completion of commitment proceedings should be dispensed with. The commission considers that the prescribed overall timeline of 180 working days, together with a provision for extension, strikes an appropriate balance between timely completion of commitment proceedings and procedural flexibility, as the time required for individual procedural stages may vary depending on the complexity and circumstances of each case, it said.

 

Currently, Google LLC. and its Indian arms had filed a commitment application offering to modify its policies regarding the treatment of real money gaming applications on Google Play. This was in response to concern raised by the Competition Commission of India about differential treatment regarding daily fantasy sports and rummy applications permitted under Google's previous pilot programme. This is yet to be decided. 

 

Further, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. had filed a commitment application to address the concern identified in the competition regulator's order on the airline abusing its dominant position by cancelling flights and withholding services in December. InterGlobe Aviation had said that it would manage similar large-scale disruptions effectively in case they arise. This case is also yet to be decided.

 

At 1347 IST, the shares of InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. were down 0.9% at INR 5,173.50 on the National Stock Exchange.  End

 

IST, or Indian Standard Time, is five-and-a-half hours ahead of GMT

 

Reported by Surya Tripathi

Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury

 

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