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Section54
The Competition Act, 2002

Power to exempt

In force From 31 Mar 2003 Act 12 of 2003 As on 15 Oct 2026

Act 12 of 2003 Ministry Corporate Affairs Enacted 13 Jan 2003 In force 31 Mar 2003 Cited by 1 provision Instruments 7

Section 54 of the Competition Act, 2002 deals with power to exempt. The Central Government may, by notification, exempt from the application of this Act, or any provision thereof, and for such period as it may specify in such notification-- (a) any class of enterprises if such exemption is necessary in the interest of security of the State or public interest; The Act came into force on 31 Mar 2003.

The Central Government may, by notification, exempt from the application of this Act, or any provision thereof, and for such period as it may specify in such notification--

(a) any class of enterprises if such exemption is necessary in the interest of security of the State or public interest;

(b) any practice or agreement arising out of and in accordance with any obligation assumed by India under any treaty, agreement or convention with any other country or countries;

(c) any enterprise which performs a sovereign function on behalf of the Central Government or a State Government:

Provided that in case an enterprise is engaged in any activity including the activity relatable to the sovereign functions of the Government, the Central Government may grant exemption only in respect of activity relatable to the sovereign functions.

Section 54, The Competition Act, 2002 (Act 12 of 2003).

Cross-references

Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.

Referred to by 1

  1. s. 63 Power to make rules

Made under this section, and citing it

2 instruments state that it was made under this provision — the power to make it comes from here, so a change to any of them changes what this section requires in practice. Newest first.

Another 5 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.

All subordinate legislation

Questions about Section 54

What does Section 54 of the Competition Act deal with?

Section 54 of the Competition Act is headed "Power to exempt". The Central Government may, by notification, exempt from the application of this Act, or any provision thereof, and for such period as it may specify in such notification-- (a) any class of enterprises if such exemption is necessary in the interest of security of the State or public interest;

How do I find court cases under Section 54 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 54, section 54 Competition Act, section 54 of the Competition Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.

What should I read with Section 54 of the Competition Act, and has it changed?

1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it. The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there are 2: most recently GSR No. 1034 dated 11.03.2020 (2020), then Exemption of Vessels Sharing Agreements of Liner shipping Industry from the provisions of section 3 of the Competition Act, 2002 (2018).

When did Section 54 of the Competition Act come into force?

Section 54 of the Competition Act, cited as Competition Act 54, 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

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.