CCI extends antitrust commitment window to 60 days under revised 2026 rules
Synopsis
India's competition regulator has quietly but meaningfully overhauled its antitrust commitment rules — stretching timelines and tightening procedures just as two landmark cases involving Google and IndiGo await final decisions. The revised framework will determine how quickly India's fair-market watchdog can resolve high-stakes corporate probes without years of litigation.
Key Takeaways
The CCI notified the Commitment (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 on 18 August 2026 .
The filing window for commitment applications has been extended from 45 to 60 days .
The total resolution timeline has increased from 130 to 180 days ; preliminary consideration period from 7 to 15 working days .
Google and InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) each have active commitment applications before the CCI.
The mechanism applies only to abuse-of-dominance cases; cartel investigations are excluded.
A stakeholder proposal to allow applications at any pre-report stage was rejected by the CCI to prevent procedural delays.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has notified the Commitment (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, extending the filing window for antitrust commitment applications from 45 days to 60 days. The revised rules, published on 18 August 2026, also lengthen the overall resolution timeline from 130 to 180 days and expand the CCI's preliminary consideration period from seven to 15 working days.
What Changed and Why
The CCI said the amendments were driven by experience gained in implementing the commitment framework since it was introduced under the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023. That legislation inserted Sections 48A and 48B into the Competition Act, creating a settlement and commitment mechanism that allows companies under antitrust investigation to voluntarily offer corrective measures — enabling resolution without prolonged litigation.
According to the CCI, the earlier timelines had exposed procedural gaps related to defect rectification in applications, fee adjustment clarity, and the handling of invalid filings. The revised regulations address each of these issues.
Cases Currently Under Consideration
Two high-profile commitment applications are presently before the Commission. InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of budget carrier IndiGo, has filed an application linked to an abuse-of-dominance probe arising from widespread flight disruptions in December 2025. Separately, Google has submitted a commitment application concerning an investigation into alleged unfair business practices related to the listing of real money gaming apps on its Play Store. Public consultation for both applications has been completed, and the Commission is yet to issue a final decision.
Scope and Exclusions of the Mechanism
The commitment and settlement route is available exclusively to entities facing abuse-of-dominant-position inquiries. Cartel cases are explicitly excluded from the mechanism. The CCI has stated that the framework is designed 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.'
Stakeholder Suggestions Partly Rejected
During the consultation process, some stakeholders proposed that commitment applications should be permissible at any stage prior to the submission of the Director General's investigation report. The CCI declined to adopt this suggestion, noting it would introduce procedural uncertainty and risk delaying the overall inquiry process.
With two major cases — involving Google and IndiGo — already in the pipeline, the revised framework's effectiveness is set to face its first real test in the months ahead.
Point of View
But it signals something more substantive: the regulator is acknowledging that its original commitment framework was too compressed for complex corporate investigations. With Google and IndiGo both in the queue, these are not routine cases — they involve market-defining conduct in aviation and digital platforms. The rejection of open-ended filing windows is the right call; unlimited pre-report windows would have handed companies a delay tactic. The real question is whether 180 days is enough to produce credible commitments in cases this complex, or whether it simply defers the harder enforcement decisions.
NationPress
19 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the CCI Commitment (Amendment) Regulations, 2026?
They are revised rules notified by the Competition Commission of India on 18 August 2026 that extend the filing window for antitrust commitment applications from 45 to 60 days and increase the total resolution timeline from 130 to 180 days. The changes also clarify procedures around fee adjustment and defective filings.
Which companies have active commitment applications before the CCI?
InterGlobe Aviation, the parent of IndiGo, has filed a commitment application linked to an abuse-of-dominance probe over flight disruptions in December 2025. Google has a separate application related to an investigation into alleged unfair practices on its Play Store concerning real money gaming apps. Both have completed public consultation.
Who can use the CCI's commitment and settlement mechanism?
The mechanism is available only to companies facing abuse-of-dominant-position investigations. Cartel cases are explicitly excluded. It allows firms to voluntarily offer corrective measures to resolve cases without prolonged litigation.
Why did the CCI reject the proposal to allow applications at any pre-report stage?
The CCI said permitting commitment applications at any point before the Director General's report was submitted would introduce procedural uncertainty and risk delaying the overall inquiry. The regulator opted to retain a defined window to preserve process integrity.
What prompted the CCI to amend the commitment regulations?
The CCI cited practical experience from implementing the framework, which revealed gaps in prescribed timelines, defect rectification procedures, fee adjustment clarity, and the handling of invalid applications. The amendments are intended to address these administrative and procedural shortcomings.
