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Economic, Commercial and Intellectual Property Laws · Competition Law

Competition Commission of India: Composition and Selection

Updated 11 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The Competition Commission of India has a Chairperson and two to six other whole-time Members, appointed by the Central Government (Section 8). Names come from a panel recommended by a Selection Committee (Section 9). Each serves five years, up to age 65 (Section 10), and can be removed only on the grounds in Section 11.

Understand Competition Commission of India: Composition and Selection

The Competition Act, 2002 sets up the Commission as the body that enforces competition law. To answer questions on it, you need to know who sits on it, how they are chosen, how long they stay, and how they can be removed. Each of these is a separate section of the Act.

Composition (Section 8). The Commission has a Chairperson and not less than two and not more than six other Members. The Central Government appoints them. All of them are whole-time Members. So the full strength can be from three to seven persons.

Qualifications (Section 8(2)). Each person must have ability, integrity and standing. He must also have special knowledge of, and professional experience of not less than fifteen years in, any of these fields: international trade, economics, business, commerce, law, finance, accountancy, management, industry, technology, public affairs, or competition matters including competition law and policy. The experience must, in the opinion of the Central Government, be useful to the Commission. The word technology was added by the 2023 amendment.

Selection (Section 9). The Central Government does not choose freely. It appoints from a panel of names recommended by a Selection Committee. The Committee has the Chief Justice of India or his nominee as Chairperson, the Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the Secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice, and two experts of repute. The term of the Committee and the manner of selecting the panel are prescribed by rules.

Term, vacancy and removal (Sections 10 to 12). The term is five years, with eligibility for re-appointment, but nobody holds office after turning sixty-five. Resignation needs written notice to the Central Government. Removal is allowed only on listed grounds, and for two of them the Supreme Court must first inquire. After leaving, a Member faces a two-year restriction on certain employment.

Key rules to remember

Strength of the Commission (Section 8(1))
Chairperson + not less than 2 and not more than 6 other Members
Appointed by the Central Government. Total is therefore 3 to 7 persons, all whole-time (Section 8(3)).
Qualification (Section 8(2))
Ability, integrity and standing + special knowledge and not less than 15 years' professional experience in the listed fields
Fields include international trade, economics, business, commerce, law, finance, accountancy, management, industry, technology, public affairs, competition law and policy.
Selection Committee (Section 9(1))
CJI or nominee (Chairperson) + Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs + Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice + two experts of repute
Five persons. It recommends a panel of names; the Central Government appoints.
Term of office (Section 10(1))
5 years from entering office; eligible for re-appointment; not beyond age 65
The age limit is in the proviso.
Acting Chairperson (Section 10(4) and (5))
Senior-most Member acts if the Chairperson's office falls vacant or he cannot discharge functions
In a vacancy, until the new Chairperson enters office. In absence or illness, until the Chairperson resumes charge.
Resignation (Section 11(1))
Written notice to the Central Government; continue for 3 months, or until successor enters, or term ends, whichever is earliest
The Central Government may permit an earlier exit.
Removal by Central Government (Section 11(2))
Insolvent; paid employment during term; conviction involving moral turpitude; prejudicial interest; abuse of position; physical or mental incapacity
Six grounds, clauses (a) to (f).
Supreme Court inquiry (Section 11(3))
Grounds (d) and (e) need a Supreme Court report before removal
The reference is made by the Central Government.
Post-service restriction (Section 12)
2 years: no employment, advice or management connection with a party to a proceeding or a person appearing under Section 35; no representation before the Commission
Does not apply to Government, statutory authority, corporation or Government company employment.

How to solve Competition Commission of India: Composition and Selection questions

Use this method for any question on the composition, appointment, term or removal of CCI members.

  1. 1Identify what is asked: composition, qualification, selection, term, vacancy, resignation, removal or post-service restriction.
  2. 2Name the section that governs it: 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12.
  3. 3State the rule in plain words, with exact numbers: 2 to 6 Members, 15 years, 5 years, age 65, 3 months, 2 years.
  4. 4For a problem, list the facts and match each one to a clause of the section.
  5. 5Check conditions and exceptions, such as the Supreme Court inquiry for clauses (d) and (e) of Section 11(2).
  6. 6Write a clear conclusion that answers the exact question asked, citing the section.

Quickest way: Section-to-number map

When to use it: Use when you have little time or must answer a short-note or a one-line question.

  1. Remember the sequence: 8 composition, 9 selection, 10 term, 11 resignation and removal, 12 post-service restriction.
  2. Attach one number to each: 8 gives 2 to 6 plus Chairperson and 15 years; 9 gives a 5-member committee; 10 gives 5 years and age 65; 11 gives 3 months; 12 gives 2 years.
  3. For removal, recall the six grounds and mark the two (d) and (e) that need the Supreme Court.
  4. Write the provision, apply it in one or two lines, then conclude.

Common mistakes in Competition Commission of India: Composition and Selection

  • Saying the Commission has a Chairperson and six Members, or a fixed number.

    Students remember the upper limit only.

    Fix: Write: Chairperson and not less than two and not more than six other Members.

  • Saying the Selection Committee appoints the Members.

    The word selection suggests the final decision.

    Fix: The Committee only recommends a panel of names. The Central Government appoints (Sections 8 and 9).

  • Stating that every ground of removal needs a Supreme Court inquiry.

    Students mix up the six grounds.

    Fix: Only clause (d) financial or other interest, and clause (e) abuse of position, need the Supreme Court report under Section 11(3).

  • Confusing the 65-year age limit with the 5-year term.

    Both appear in Section 10(1).

    Fix: The term is five years and the person is eligible for re-appointment, but cannot hold office after attaining sixty-five.

  • Treating the two-year restriction as barring all future jobs.

    Students forget the proviso to Section 12.

    Fix: The restriction covers enterprises or persons before the Commission. Employment under Government, statutory authorities, and Government companies is excluded.

  • Saying a Member may resign and leave at once.

    Resignation sounds immediate.

    Fix: He continues for three months, or until a successor enters, or until term ends, whichever is earliest, unless the Central Government permits earlier.

Worked examples

Example 1

Explain who can be appointed as the Chairperson or a Member of the Competition Commission of India and how the appointment is made.

Show the solution
  1. Provision: Section 8 provides for a Chairperson and not less than two and not more than six other Members, all whole-time, appointed by the Central Government.
  2. Qualification: Under Section 8(2) the person must have ability, integrity and standing, with special knowledge and not less than fifteen years' professional experience in fields such as international trade, economics, business, commerce, law, finance, accountancy, management, industry, technology, public affairs or competition law and policy.
  3. The experience must, in the Central Government's opinion, be useful to the Commission.
  4. Procedure: Under Section 9, the Central Government appoints from a panel recommended by the Selection Committee.
  5. The Committee has the Chief Justice of India or his nominee as Chairperson, the Secretaries of the Ministries of Corporate Affairs and of Law and Justice, and two experts of repute.

Answer: A person of ability, integrity and standing with at least fifteen years' relevant professional experience can be appointed by the Central Government, only from a panel recommended by the five-member Selection Committee under Section 9.

Example 2

Mr. Iyer, a CCI Member, is found to hold shares in an enterprise whose case is pending before the Commission. The Central Government wants to remove him. Advise whether it can do so directly. Also state what happens if the Chairperson dies in office.

Show the solution
  1. Provision: Section 11(2)(d) allows removal if a Member has acquired a financial or other interest likely to affect prejudicially his functions as a Member.
  2. Condition: Section 11(3) says no Member shall be removed on ground (d) or (e) unless the Supreme Court, on a reference by the Central Government, has held an inquiry and reported that he ought to be removed.
  3. Application: Mr. Iyer's shareholding falls under clause (d), so the Government cannot remove him directly.
  4. Vacancy: Under Section 10(4), on a vacancy in the Chairperson's office by death, the senior-most Member acts as Chairperson until the new Chairperson, appointed under the Act, enters office.
  5. The vacancy is filled by fresh appointment under Sections 8 and 9 (Section 10(2)).

Answer: The Central Government cannot remove Mr. Iyer directly. It must refer the matter to the Supreme Court and remove him only after the Court reports that he ought to be removed. If the Chairperson dies, the senior-most Member acts until a new Chairperson is appointed through Sections 8 and 9.

Exam tips

  • Learn the numbers cold: 2 to 6 Members, 15 years' experience, 5 years' term, age 65, 3 months' notice, 2 years' restriction.
  • In problem questions, check whether the ground of removal is (d) or (e). That is where the Supreme Court step is tested.
  • Write the section number with every rule. ICSI answers follow the provision, the analysis, then the conclusion.
  • Keep the Selection Committee list in order and state that it recommends, not appoints.
  • Mention that technology was added to the qualification fields by the 2023 amendment if the question asks about recent changes.

Practice questions from Competition Law

Competition Commission of India: Composition and Selection in other exams

The same ground in other exams, if you are preparing for more than one or want another angle on it.

Competition Commission of India: Composition and Selection: frequently asked questions

How many members does the Competition Commission of India have?

Section 8(1) says a Chairperson and not less than two and not more than six other Members. All are whole-time Members. So the Commission can have three to seven persons.

Who is on the Selection Committee under Section 9?

The Chief Justice of India or his nominee is Chairperson. The Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice are Members. Two experts of repute complete the Committee.

What is the term of office of the CCI Chairperson?

Five years from the date of entering office, with eligibility for re-appointment. Nobody can hold office after attaining sixty-five years, as per the proviso to Section 10(1).

On what grounds can a CCI Member be removed?

Section 11(2) lists insolvency, paid employment during the term, conviction involving moral turpitude, a prejudicial financial or other interest, abuse of position, and physical or mental incapacity. For the interest and abuse grounds, a Supreme Court inquiry must come first.