THE EVOLUTION OF COMPETITION LAW: FROM INDUSTRIAL AGE TO THE DIGITAL ERA

Abstract Competition law in India has transitioned from regulatory frameworks rooted in post independence industrial policy to modern statutes suited to digital platforms. The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969, and the Competition Act, 2002, catalysed institutional evolution. Amendments in 2023 introduced novel tools such as deal value thresholds, broadened definitions of anti competitive agreements, and settlement mechanisms. Enforcement has increasingly addressed digital platform power from Makemytrip, Goibibo, Oyo parity cases to Google Android, WhatsApp Meta data policies and ad tech collusion probes. The Competition Commission of India seeks evidence based, proportionate economic analysis in its digital era interventions. Emerging regulatory reforms anticipate ex ante frameworks for systemically important digital intermediaries. This article traces the legal journey through foundational doctrine, statutory transformations, enforcement landmarks, and prospective trajectories in a data driven economy.