Sections 29-30 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Section 29 of the Competition Act, 2002 is the Commission's step-by-step procedure for a combination about which it has a prima facie concern: a notice to show cause, an optional report from the Director General, publication of details, objections from the public, additional information and a move to the final order. Section 30 links the notice under Section 6(2) to that procedure. The Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023 shortens every period, drops the words "working days" from the sub-sections it changes, adds a thirty-day limit for the prima facie opinion and a power to accept modifications.
As per the consolidated text of the Act published by the Competition Commission of India (amendments shown up to the Finance Act, 2017), read with the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023 as published in the Gazette of India on 11 April 2023. The consolidated text counts several periods in working days; the 2023 Act substitutes days. The show-cause response period falls from thirty days to fifteen days, and a new sub-section (1B) requires the Commission to form its prima facie opinion within thirty days of receipt of notice under Section 6(2). Section 30 is not changed. The 2023 change applies from the date notified for that provision; the notification is not in the sources consulted and should be checked.
Section 29(1): the show-cause notice
The consolidated text of Section 29(1) says that where the Commission is of the prima facie opinion that a combination is likely to cause, or has caused, an appreciable adverse effect on competition within the relevant market in India, "it shall issue a notice to show cause to the parties to combination calling upon them to respond within thirty days of the receipt of the notice, as to why investigation in respect of such combination should not be conducted." The 2023 Act (its Section 21(a)) substitutes "within fifteen days" for "within thirty days". The consolidated text places a footnote mark on the words "prima facie" (inserted in 2007).
Section 29(1A): report from the Director General
The consolidated text prints sub-section (1A) as "[1(A)", with the number in an unusual form; the meaning is: "After receipt of the response of the parties to the combination under sub-section (1), the Commission may call for a report from the Director General and such report shall be submitted by the Director General within such time as the Commission may direct." It is not amended.
New Section 29(1B): thirty days for the prima facie opinion
The 2023 Act (Section 21(b)) inserts: "(1B) The Commission shall, within thirty days of receipt of notice under sub-section (2) of section 6, form its prima facie opinion referred to in sub-section (1)." Section 29 of the consolidated text prints no outer limit for the prima facie opinion. Section 30 says the Commission, on a notice under Section 6(2), "shall examine such notice and form its prima facie opinion as provided in sub-section (1) of section 29 and proceed as per provisions contained in that section." Section 30 is not touched by the 2023 Act, and the consolidated text prints "enterprises" in the plural in its first line; we read it as printed.
If your transaction is under review and you need to plan around these periods, a financial and legal due diligence team can map the dates against your closing conditions.
Section 29(2): publication
The consolidated text reads: the Commission, if it is prima facie of the opinion that the combination has, or is likely to have, an appreciable adverse effect on competition, "it shall, within seven working days from the date of receipt of the response of the parties to the combination, or the receipt of the report from Director General called under sub section (1A), whichever is later direct the parties to the said combination to publish details of the combination within ten working days of such direction, in such manner, as it thinks appropriate, for bringing the combination to the knowledge or information of the public and persons affected or likely to be affected by such combination."
The 2023 Act (Section 21(c)) substitutes "within seven days" for "within seven working days", and "within seven days" for "within ten working days". So the Commission has seven days to direct publication, and the parties then have seven days to publish.
Section 29(3) to (5): objections and information
- Sub-section (3): the Commission "may invite any person or member of the public, affected or likely to be affected by the said combination, to file his written objections, if any, before the Commission within fifteen working days from the date on which the details of the combination were published". The 2023 Act (Section 21(d)) substitutes "within ten days".
- Sub-section (4): the Commission "may, within fifteen working days from the expiry of the period specified in sub-section (3), call for such additional or other information as it may deem fit from the parties". The 2023 Act (Section 21(e)) substitutes "within seven days".
- Sub-section (5): the information called for "shall be furnished by the parties referred to in sub-section (4) within fifteen days from the expiry of the period specified in sub-section (4)". The 2023 Act (Section 21(f)) substitutes "within ten days".
Section 29(6) and new (7): the move to the final order and modifications
The consolidated text of sub-section (6) says: "After receipt of all information and within a period of forty-five working days from the expiry of the period specified in sub-section (5), the Commission shall proceed to deal with the case in accordance with the provisions contained in section 31." The 2023 Act (Section 21(g)) substitutes new sub-sections (6) and (7):
"(6) After receipt of all information, the Commission shall proceed to deal with the case in accordance with the provisions contained in section 29A or section 31, as the case may be.
(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the Commission may accept appropriate modifications offered by the parties to the combination or suo motu propose modifications, as the case may be, before forming a prima facie opinion under sub-section (1)."
The forty-five working day period in the consolidated text is not repeated in the substituted sub-section (6). Section 29A (statement of objections and modifications) is explained in our article on Section 29A, and Section 31 in our article on orders on combinations and deemed approval.
Every period, before and after
| Sub-section | Step | Part 1 (consolidated text) | After the 2023 Act |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29(1) | Parties respond to show-cause notice | thirty days | fifteen days |
| 29(1A) | Report from Director General | Time directed by the Commission | Same |
| 29(1B) | Prima facie opinion on a notice under Section 6(2) | No period | Thirty days from receipt of notice |
| 29(2) | Commission directs publication | seven working days | seven days |
| 29(2) | Parties publish details | ten working days | seven days |
| 29(3) | Objections from public | fifteen working days | ten days |
| 29(4) | Commission calls for further information | fifteen working days | seven days |
| 29(5) | Parties furnish information | fifteen days | ten days |
| 29(6) | Proceed to final order | After receipt of all information and within forty-five working days, under Section 31 | After receipt of all information, under Section 29A or 31 |
| 29(7) | Modifications before prima facie opinion | None | New |
The amended text speaks of "days" where earlier text spoke of "working days"; the Act does not define "days" differently in these sub-sections, and we add no definition. The overall time for the Commission to act is set by Section 31 as amended (a period of one hundred and fifty days), and the standstill in Section 6(2A) is also one hundred and fifty days as amended; see our articles on Section 6(1) to (3) and on Section 31.
Example. Prayag Foods Ltd notifies its acquisition of a rival under Section 6(2). Within thirty days of receipt of the notice the Commission must form its prima facie opinion (sub-section (1B)). If it is prima facie of the view that there is an adverse effect, it issues a show-cause notice (sub-section (1)) and Prayag has fifteen days to respond. The remaining steps follow the periods in the table.
Practical points
The parties are well placed if they have their response, supporting data and publication text ready before the notice arrives, because several periods are now short. Our overview of the Commission's 2024 Combinations Regulations covers the filing and publication provisions as notified. For wider reading, see the guides on CCI approval for mergers and acquisitions and on merger control, combinations and thresholds.
Need help managing a combination review?
Short statutory periods leave little room for preparation. Our team can help you plan the documents, publication and responses for a notified combination as part of financial and legal due diligence.
Key takeaways
- The response to the show-cause notice falls from thirty days to fifteen days.
- The Commission must form its prima facie opinion on a notice under Section 6(2) within thirty days, under new sub-section (1B).
- Publication, objections and information periods are shortened and expressed in days rather than working days.
- Sub-section (6) now leads to Section 29A or Section 31, and sub-section (7) allows modifications before the prima facie opinion.
- The 2023 change applies from the date notified for that provision; the notification is not in the sources consulted and should be checked.
Read next
- Statement of objections and modifications under Section 29A
- Orders on combinations and deemed approval under Section 31
- Notice of combination to CCI and the standstill period
- Inquiry into combinations and factors considered
Disclaimer: Based on the consolidated text of the Competition Act, 2002 published by the Competition Commission of India (amendments shown up to the Finance Act, 2017), read with the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023 as published in the Gazette of India on 11 April 2023, and on the regulations and guidelines of the Commission as notified in 2024, as consulted on 2 October 2026. Commencement notifications, notified thresholds, rules and later amendments should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.