ANTITRUST REGULATION IMPACTS IN MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS AND MARKET COMPETITION

AUTHOR – A.DHANALAKSHMI* & DR. NIHARIKA SINGH**

* STUDENT AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL, NOIDA

** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, AMITY UNIVERSITY, NOIDA

BEST CITATION – A.DHANALAKSHMI & DR. NIHARIKA SINGH, ANTITRUST REGULATION IMPACTS IN MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS AND MARKET COMPETITION, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (4) OF 2025, PG. 669-682, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

As globalization intensifies and market dynamics evolve, the frequency and scale of M&A activities have surged, prompting regulators to reassess the effectiveness of existing antitrust frameworks. Serious problems regarding market concentration, monopolies, and competition fairness have been raised by the tide of enlargement in corporate M&A.  The policy institution required to ward off anti-competitive behavior and promote consumer welfare and efficiency in the economy is antitrust law.  The contribution made by antitrust laws in regulating mergers and acquisitions and competition in the market is analyzed in this paper. India, the US, and the EU are some of the most important countries whose M&A legal regimes are analyzed in this study.  The research explores whether antitrust enforcers, such as the EC, FTC, and CCI, perform well in examining merger control and enforcing competition legislation. It also explores the challenges regulators face in balancing the benefits of consolidation against the potential for reduced competition, innovation stifling, and consumer harm. By synthesizing theoretical perspectives and empirical data, this research aims to provide insights into the effectiveness of antitrust laws in promoting fair competition while navigating the complexities of corporate consolidation in contemporary markets. The research also focuses on enforcement matters and regulatory gaps under existing antitrust laws, particularly in reacting to Big Tech mergers and acquisitions and vertical mergers. For better efficacy of antitrust enforcement, the research concludes with legislative suggestions that provide an even approach that supports economic development alongside maintaining fair market competition.

Keywords: Antitrust laws, Market concentration, Competition, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Corporate Regulation