Rakesh Bhanot appointed acting Director General of Competition Commission of India (CCI)

Key facts

• Rakesh Bhanot, an advisor at the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has been appointed as the acting Director General (DG).
• He succeeds Ansuman Pattanaik, who was appointed as the additional secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) on March 31, 2026.
• The CCI has extended the deadline for applying for the full-time DG post until May 5, 2026.
• The DG's office is responsible for investigating all contraventions against the Competition Act.
• The DG's office is currently investigating cases involving Indigo Airlines for abuse of dominant position and Google for its practices in digital advertising.
• Amendments made to the Competition Act in 2023 empower the commission to appoint the DG with prior approval from the Centre.
• Section 16 of the Competition Act stipulates that the DG and other director generals be appointed from persons of integrity and outstanding ability with experience in investigation and knowledge of accountancy, management, business, public administration, international trade, law, or economics.