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UPSC Mains 2023 · GS Paper II · Q7

UPSC Mains 2023 GS2 Q7: model answer

Discuss the role of the Competition Commission of India in containing the abuse of dominant position by the Multi-National Corporations in India. Refer to the recent decisions.

10 marks150 wordsDirective: Discuss

What the question wants

CCI's mandate under Section 4 and recent actions against MNCs.

How to structure it

Intro: Competition Act, 2002; CCI from 2009; Section 4 bars abuse of dominance. Body: (1) Role: investigation via DG, penalties up to 10% of turnover, behavioural remedies; (2) Recent decisions: Google Android (₹1,337.76 crore, Oct 2022), Google Play Store billing (₹936.44 crore), Amazon and Flipkart probes, Meta/WhatsApp privacy policy; (3) Competition (Amendment) Act 2023: global turnover penalties, deal-value threshold; (4) Challenges: digital markets, delays. Conclusion: ex-ante Digital Competition Bill.

How to structure the answer
IntroductionCompetition Act, 2002; CCI from 2009; Section 4 bars abuse of dominance
Body: discuss
  1. 1(1) Role: investigation via DG, penalties up to 10% of turnover, behavioural remedies
  2. 2(2) Recent decisions: Google Android (₹1,337.76 crore, Oct 2022), Google Play Store billing (₹936.44 crore), Amazon and Flipkart probes, Meta/WhatsApp privacy policy
  3. 3(3) Competition (Amendment) Act 2023: global turnover penalties, deal-value threshold
  4. 4(4) Challenges: digital markets, delays
ConclusionEx-ante Digital Competition Bill

Model answer

The Competition Act, 2002 set up the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Section 4 prohibits abuse of a dominant position, such as unfair prices, limiting markets or denying access.

Role of CCI

  • Investigates complaints through its Director General.
  • Imposes penalties up to 10% of average turnover and orders changes in conduct.

Recent decisions

  • Google Android (Oct 2022): ₹1,337.76 crore penalty for forcing phone makers to pre-install Google apps; largely upheld by NCLAT and the Supreme Court refused to stay it.
  • Google Play billing (Oct 2022): ₹936.44 crore for forcing app developers to use its payment system.
  • Meta/WhatsApp: probe into the 2021 privacy policy forcing data sharing.
  • Amazon and Flipkart: investigation into preferred sellers and deep discounts.

Strengthening: the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023 allows penalties on global turnover and adds a deal-value threshold for mergers.

Challenges: fast-moving digital markets and long litigation. A proposed ex-ante digital competition law would let CCI act before harm is done.

Keywords, cases and data to drop in

Section 4 abuse of dominance Google Android Competition (Amendment) Act 2023 digital markets

Where most answers lose marks

  • No recent cases.
  • Confusing CCI with SEBI.

Fresh examples from current affairs

GS2 · Transparency

CIC launches AppCoMS 2.0 portal for RTI appeals and complaints

On 17 August 2026 the Central Information Commission launched AppCoMS 2.0, its upgraded Appeal and Complaint Management System for second appeals and complaints under the RTI Act, 2005. Applicants and CPIOs now get user accounts linked to e-mail and mobile. Applicants can track timelines and download notices, and the Commission can sign orders digitally.

UPSC angle: Prelims: CIC.

17 Aug 2026

Learn the concept

ExplainerRight to Information Act, 2005: Procedure, Exemptions, Information Commissions and Recent Amendments (UPSC Notes)

Question text as printed in the official UPSC question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/QP-CSM-23-GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER-II-180923.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.