EVALUATING CONSUMER WELFARE AS THE CORNERSTONE OF INDIAN COMPETITION LAW: A DOCTRINAL AND POLICY PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The Indian competition law regime has steadily evolved in the last two decades with a pronounced commitment to promoting "consumer welfare". While the Competition Act, 2002 enshrines this objective, ambiguities remain regarding its doctrinal foundations and its practical implications in enforcement. This article undertakes a doctrinal and policy analysis of consumer welfare as the cornerstone of Indian competition law. It analyses the narrow interpretation of welfare through price-centric lenses and explores broader considerations such as innovation, quality, and long-term market structure. The article also contrasts Indian competition jurisprudence with global trends and suggests a calibrated framework for integrating multifaceted consumer interests in law and policy.