Parliament Question: Market Study on Digital Competition Bill

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2377 ANSWERED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 03, 2026/ SHRAVANA 12, 1948 (SAKA) MARKET STUDY ON DIGITAL COMPETITION BILL QUESTION 2377 Dr. Shashi Tharoor:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has commissioned any market study in relation to the proposed Digital Competition Bill;

(b) if so, the details thereof, including its terms of reference, the agency selected, the timeline for completion and the present status thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to place the findings of the market study in the public domain before finalising the proposed Digital Competition Bill, if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) whether the Competition Commission of India has proposed to undertake a separate market study on the digital economy, if so, whether it is different from the market study commissioned by the Ministry in relation to the proposed Digital Competition Bill and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGWAYS.

(SHRI HARSH MALHOTRA) *****

(a) & (b): The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has entered into agreement with Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurugram, Haryana on

18.05.2026 to carry out the Market Study on “Qualitative and Quantitative thresholds for Big Tech Companies and Core Digital Services” with respect to the Draft Digital Competition Bill (DCB) submitted by the Committee on Digital Competition Law (CDCL). The terms of reference of the Market Study is at Annexure-I.

1As per the agreement, the final report is expected by October 2026. MDI has submitted the literature review, secondary research to the Ministry and also started consultation with various stakeholders/ experts.

(c): The above market study is expected to provide an evidence-based foundation, which will enable consideration of all relevant aspects. Apart from the consultation being undertaken as part of Market Study, due public consultation on the findings of the Market Study would also be undertaken before taking a final view on Draft DCB referred to in part (a) & (b) above.

(d): No, Sir. ***** 2Annexure-I

The Terms of Reference of the Study are given below:

(i) To review and evaluate the proposed qualitative and quantitative thresholds of the Draft Digital Competition Bill (DCB);

(ii) To review the list of proposed core digital services in the Draft DCB;

(iii)To evaluate the implications of the Draft DCB on these services and stakeholders, including the potential impact on competition and market entry; and

(iv)To assess the potential impact of the proposed ex-ante framework on smaller players including start-ups & MSME’s. ***** 34