Shillong | June 20: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong, in collaboration with the Competition Commission of India (CCI), successfully organized a Regional Workshop on Competition Law at its Umsawli campus on Friday, June 20. The event brought together dignitaries, legal experts, academic leaders, and students for in-depth discussions on the evolving landscape of competition law and its growing impact on India’s business and regulatory environment.

The workshop began with an inaugural session graced by Smt. Ravneet Kaur, Chairperson of the CCI, as the keynote speaker. In her welcome address, Prof. (Dr.) Nalini Prava Tripathy, Director (I/C) of IIM Shillong, stressed the increasing relevance of competition law in management education. She highlighted the CCI’s role not only as a regulatory body but also as a catalyst for promoting transparency, innovation, and fair competition in markets.
“Today’s management students must be prepared not only for corporate boardrooms but also to lead responsibly in markets governed by fairness and accountability,” Prof. Tripathy remarked, expressing appreciation for CCI’s proactive engagement with academic institutions.

In her keynote address, Smt. Ravneet Kaur emphasized the critical role of competition law in maintaining a transparent and equitable market environment. She underscored the importance of raising awareness among future business leaders—particularly management students—about anti-competitive practices and the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002.

Addressing recent developments, she elaborated on the Competition Amendment Act, 2023, which introduced the deal value threshold, expanding regulatory oversight to significant mergers and acquisitions in the digital and startup sectors. Smt. Kaur also explained new enforcement tools such as commitment and settlement frameworks, designed to expedite market corrections and reduce prolonged litigation.

Calling for greater self-regulation, she urged businesses to adopt internal compliance mechanisms and highlighted the rising influence of Artificial Intelligence on market dynamics. She noted that the CCI is actively studying the intersection of AI and competition—particularly issues such as algorithmic collusion and the need for accountability in AI-driven systems.

Following the keynote address, the workshop featured two technical sessions:

Session I: “Competition Act, 2002 – An Overview (with recent amendments)” by Ms. Sweta Kakkad, Member, CCI.

Session II: “Competition Law Compliance” led by Dr. K.D. Singh, Director (Law), CCI.

Both sessions provided valuable insights into the core aspects of competition law that influence business strategy, regulatory frameworks, and corporate governance. A Q&A session allowed participants to interact directly with the experts, underscoring the high level of engagement and interest among students and faculty.

The Regional Workshop at IIM Shillong marked a meaningful step in bridging policy and academia—equipping future leaders with the legal understanding necessary to foster competitive and responsible business practices.