Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, presided over the 16th Annual Day celebration of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in New Delhi today. The event marked a significant milestone in the journey of CCI as a critical pillar in ensuring fair and inclusive market practices in India.
In her address, the Union Finance Minister highlighted the CCI’s pivotal role in safeguarding the spirit of liberalisation and promoting market fairness. She noted that markets must work for the many, not the few, and commended the CCI’s use of enforcement, advocacy, and regulatory reform to create an environment where enterprises of all sizes can compete on merit, and consumers benefit from greater choice and innovation.
Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Smt. Sitharaman underlined the importance of balancing regulatory vigilance with a pro-growth mindset, especially in today’s complex global environment. She lauded the CCI’s commitment to enforcing the law against anti-competitive behaviour while simultaneously supporting legitimate business activity—thereby enhancing investor confidence and fostering inclusive economic development.
Quoting the Union Budget 2025-26, she urged regulators to be guided by the principle of “minimum necessary, maximum feasible”, ensuring a light-touch regulatory framework that supports innovation and competitiveness.
Smt. Sitharaman also addressed the emerging challenges in digital and technology markets, commending the CCI’s recent market study on Artificial Intelligence and Competition, and the establishment of a dedicated Digital Markets Division. She emphasized the need for global cooperation, agile regulation, and greater public engagement through awareness campaigns and compliance workshops across India.
The Minister released two significant publications during the event:
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“Diagnostic Toolkit Towards Competitive Tenders for Public Procurement”, a resource for detecting and preventing bid rigging.
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“FAQs on Combinations”, offering practical guidance on the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023, and Combination Regulations, 2024.
In her welcome address, Smt. Ravneet Kaur, Chairperson of the CCI, reflected on the Commission’s 16-year journey and recent regulatory advancements. She highlighted that the CCI has evolved into a robust, responsive, and forward-looking regulator, employing a judicious mix of enforcement, advocacy, and capacity building.
Smt. Kaur stated that fair competition is not just a legal requirement but a strategic necessity for India’s growth and innovation. She noted that the CCI has notified 10 new and revised regulations and guidelines over the past 18 months to align with the reforms under the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023. The Commission is also investing in data science and techno-economic expertise to better address the complexities of the digital economy.
She concluded by reaffirming CCI’s commitment to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, pledging to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in its operations.
Shri Anil Agrawal, Member, CCI, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the Union Finance Minister for her visionary leadership and continued support.
The event witnessed participation from a wide cross-section of stakeholders including representatives from government departments, regulatory bodies, public sector undertakings, industry, academia, chambers of commerce, and the legal community.
