Duties and functions of Commission
Section 18 of the Competition Act, 2002 deals with duties and functions of Commission. Subject to the provisions of this Act, it shall be the duty of the Commission to eliminate practices having adverse effect on competition, promote and sustain competition, protect the interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade carried on by other participants, in markets in India: Provided t The Act came into force on 31 Mar 2003.
1[18. Duties and functions of Commission.--Subject to the provisions of this Act, it shall be the duty of the Commission to eliminate practices having adverse effect on competition, promote and sustain competition, protect the interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade carried on by other participants, in markets in India:
Provided that the Commission may, for the purpose of discharging its duties or performing its functions under this Act, enter into any memorandum or arrangement with the prior approval of the Central Government, with any agency of any foreign country:
Provided further that, the Commission may, for the purpose of discharging its duties or performing its functions under this Act, enter into any memorandum or arrangement with any statutory authority or department of Government.]
Section 18, The Competition Act, 2002 (Act 12 of 2003).
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Competition Commission of India v. Steel Authority of India Ltd.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
CCI is an expert body. Director General investigation under s.26, inquiry under s.19, and CCI's duties under s.18 are part of a specialised scheme; s.61 excludes civil-court jurisdiction over the same subject. COMPAT's interference with a CCI direction to investigate was set aside. Single labelled Judgment of Main Case (order-1.pdf, 2010-09-09).
On this section: CCI's duties and functions (s.18) include directing investigation; COMPAT cannot stall that expert function without jurisdiction.
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Ultratech Cement Ltd. vs Competition Commission of India
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
An impleadment of an interested party under Regulation 25 at advanced stages of a competition inquiry is not a final determination of the rights and obligations of the parties, but is a valid procedural enablement for the CCI to reach an informed conclusion in an action in rem operating in public interest.
On this section: Analyzing the duties of the commission, inquiry procedures, principles of natural justice, restriction on disclosure of information, and the applicability of compensation claims.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Made under this section, and citing it
2 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 18
What have the courts held on Section 18 of the Competition Act?
Competition Commission of India v. Steel Authority of India Ltd. (09 Sep 2010) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: CCI's duties and functions (s.18) include directing investigation; COMPAT cannot stall that expert function without jurisdiction. Another 1 judgment on this section is set out below, 1 of them from the Supreme Court. They run from 2010 to 2023.
How do I find court cases under Section 18 of the Competition Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Competition Act 18, section 18 Competition Act, section 18 of the Competition Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 2 reported judgments on this section are set out on this page, beginning with Competition Commission of India v. Steel Authority of India Ltd. (09 Sep 2010).
What should I read with Section 18 of the Competition Act, and has it changed?
2 instruments name it without being made under it, most recently CCI (Procedure in regard to the transaction of business relating to combinations) Regulations, 2011 (No. 3 of 2011) (2011), then CCI (General) Regulations, 2009 (No 2 of 2009) (2009).
When did Section 18 of the Competition Act come into force?
Section 18 of the Competition Act, cited as Competition Act 18, came into force on 31 Mar 2003, having been enacted on 13 Jan 2003. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 66. Repeal and saving1683 words
- 2. Definitions1390 words
- 5. Combination1317 words
- 6. Regulation of combinations920 words
- 3. Anti-competitive agreements850 words
- 26. Procedure for inquiry under section 19788 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.