Competition law Course is a branch of law that regulates economic conduct and makes sure that providers of products and services engage in fair competition with one another. Candidates for postgraduate positions are typically provided courses in competition law. Those who are interested in a career in competition law can apply for admission to the LLM in competition law or the MA in Business Law with a specialisation in competition law.
Candidates may also choose to enrol in diploma programmes in the area of competition law, such as the Certificate in Competition Law, Diploma in Competition Law, and Diploma Course in Competition Policy and Law. Top universities with a reputation for offering admission to the competent legal programmes through an entrance exam (AILET, LSAT), or through merit in the qualifying exam, are ILS Law College in Pune, NLU in Kolkata, and IIT in Kharagpur.
Employees at Competition Law make an average salary of INR 27 LPA. Depending on their employment profile, competition lawyers often earn between INR 15 LPA and INR 48 LPA.
Table of Contents
All About Competition Law Courses
Competition law courses examine and analyse the economic struggle that top businesses and market competitors engage in to draw in customers. The goal of the competition law course is to raise awareness of activities that harm market competition, not to outlaw competition altogether.
- The cost of competition law courses ranges from 25,000 to 50,000 INR per year.
- Admissions to competition law courses are made on the basis of both merit and entrance tests.
- To enrol in the courses, one must take the admission exams and meet the minimum requirements. In addition, students must have passed the last qualifying exam with a score of at least 50 to 55 per cent.
- All India Law Entrance Test, AMU Law Entrance Exam, Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET), and others are among the exams for the various Competition Law Courses.
- The most popular courses in this area are the LLM in Competition Law and the MA in Business Law with a concentration in Competition Law.
- In this sector, there are numerous Diploma and Certificate programmes available.
- More students are choosing to enrol in competition law courses in India and overseas as a result of the growing knowledge and application of competition rules.
- In major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and Kolkata, demand for competition law specialists has skyrocketed.
- After completing a course in competition law, the typical beginning income is between INR 5 and 7 LPA.
Competition Law Highlights
Check out the highlights of the competition law captured below in order to grasp a deeper understanding of the course.
| Name of the Course | Competition Law |
| Programmes Available | Certificate, Diploma, LLM |
| Stream | Law |
| Mode of the Course | Regular |
| Exam Type | Semester Type |
| Admission Process | Through an entrance examination |
| Fees Range | INR 25,000 to INR 1,00,000 |
| Starting Salary | INR 40,000 to INR 1,35,000 |
Why Study Competition Law Courses?
For seasoned professionals, taking a course in competition law can be quite satisfying and fulfilling. It’s a unique job choice because the industry is both exciting and hard. The following are a few factors that make competition law a fantastic career choice:
- Wide Range of Employment: After completing courses in competition law, a variety of positions, including those of competition lawyer, solo practitioner, legal adviser, legal assistant, law officer, policymaker, business lawyer, market advisor, and managers, are accessible in the market. Both the governmental and private sectors are hiring candidates.
- Create Your Own Career: One can operate as an independent practitioner and handle enforcement cases, such as filing information and defending medium-sized corporations.
- Additionally, they have the option of hiring junior attorneys who can get expertise in both civil and business disputes.
- Highly Rewarding Career: Competition attorneys can make a good living if they are successful. A competition lawyer can get an average salary of INR 27 LPA with sufficient job experience. Depending on their work profile, experienced competition lawyers can easily make between INR 15 LPA and INR 48 LPA.
- Work Satisfaction: Competition law is considerably distinct from other legal disciplines in that it safeguards and encourages healthy market competition. It is possible to have a very fulfilling career as a competition lawyer, but this requires hard effort and diligence.
Who Can Pursue Competition Law Courses?
Before applying for admission to any of the top legal institutions or universities, one must meet the minimum eligibility requirements of competition law; otherwise, the applicant’s application will be deemed invalid. The following are the basic requirements for enrolling in competition law courses:
- Postgraduate Courses in Competition Law: Candidates for postgraduate degrees in competition legal must have successfully completed either a three-year or a five-year integrated law programme (LLB-LLM) at an accredited law school.
- MA in Business Law with a Specialization in Competition Law: The applicant must have received at least a 50 per cent on the qualifying exam and a graduate degree from any stream.
- Diploma Courses in Competition Law: A graduate degree from an accredited university is required for diploma courses in competition law.
- For certificate programmes in competition law, students must achieve a grade point average (CGPA) comparable to 45 to 50 per cent or a minimum of 45 to 50 per cent in class XII.
Types of Competition Law Courses
Students can choose from a variety of competition law courses, ranging from certificate programmes to postgraduate programmes. Depending on the eligibility requirements, one can take various courses at various levels. When pursuing competition law studies, students have a variety of options, including:
| Name of the Course | Type of Course | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| LL.M. in Competition Law | Postgraduate Degree Course | 2 Years |
| MA in Business Law with specialization in Competition Law | Postgraduate Degree Course | 2 Years |
| Diploma in Competition Law | Diploma Course | 1 Year |
| Diploma Course in Competition Policy and Law | Diploma Course | 1 Year |
| Certificate Programme In Competition Law & Policy | Certificate Course | Six Months |
| Certificate Course in Competition Law & Economics | Certificate Course |
The varieties of competition law courses, along with the best universities offering them, their pricing schedule, and their length, are listed below.
Certification in Competition Law Courses
The following table lists some of the authorised Certificate programmes in competition law, along with the major universities where they are offered:
| Certificate Course Name | Top College/Institute | Average Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Months Certificate Programme In Competition Law & Policy | National Law University, Delhi | INR 15,000 |
| 3 Months Certificate Course in Competition Law & Economics | IICA | INR 23,660 |
Diploma in Competition Law Courses
The following table lists the numerous diploma programmes that the best institutions offer:
| Diploma Course Name | Top College/Institute | Average Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Year Diploma in Competition Law | National Law University, Delhi | INR 25,000 |
| 1 Year Diploma Course in Competition Policy and Law | IICA | INR 25,000 |
Postgraduate Competition Law Courses
An LLM in Competition Law or an MA in Business Law with a concentration in Competition Law are both options. These courses are provided by numerous public and private institutions across the nation.
LLM in Competition Law
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| National Law University | Delhi | INR 1,86,000 |
| O.P. Jindal Global University | Haryana | INR 3,50,000 |
| The W.B. National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) | West Bengal | INR 1,44,000 |
| The Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University | Tamil Nadu | INR 70,200 |
MA in Business Law With Specialisation in Competition Law
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| National Law School of India University (NLSIU) | Bangalore | INR 64,300 |
| NLU Kolkata (NUJS) | West Bengal | INR 50,000 |
| O.P. Jindal Global University | Haryana | INR 3,00,000 |
Top Competition Law Courses Online
There are numerous online courses in competition law accessible in addition to the aforementioned ones. Below is a list of some of them:
| Course Name | Provider Name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| European Business Law Specialization | Coursera | Six weeks |
| EU Competition Law | Udemy | 5 Lectures |
How to Make a Career in Competition Law?
One must work really hard and devote themselves to the following tasks in order to succeed in the subject of competition law:
- Get a Bachelor’s Degree: Although Competition Law is a postgraduate degree programme, one might pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) to gain a foundational understanding of the field.
- Obtain a postgraduate degree: Only postgraduate students are eligible for the competition law specialisation. For the Competition Law concentration, one must pursue either a Master of Laws (LLM) or an MA in Business Laws.
- Get an internship: Students can take part in moot court competitions at the state and national levels and attend various conferences to gain the fundamental knowledge needed in the field of competition law. These activities can help students advance their careers by increasing their chances of landing an internship with a competitive law firm.
- Job Experience: Having sufficient work experience to bolster one’s resume is one of the most crucial aspects to become a successful competition lawyer. If you lack the necessary experience, no law office or business will hire you.
Competition Law Eligibility Criteria
It is of utmost importance to meet the minimum eligibility criteria of competition law before applying for admission to any of the top-notch law colleges/universities or else the candidature of the applicant would be considered invalid. Described below are the general eligibility criteria of competition law that aspirants are expected to satisfy.
- The eligibility criteria vary from college to college and university to university.
- For pursuing a postgraduate degree in competition law, an aspirant is required to have completed either a five-year-long integrated law course or a 3 year-long law course from a recognised law college or university.
- If you want to go for a diploma course in competition law, you must possess a graduation degree from a recognised university.
- In case, an aspirant wants to pursue an MA in Business Law with a specialisation in Competition Law, he/she should have completed graduation from any stream with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks in the qualifying exam.
- Different colleges have different requirements for an aggregate score. Some even provide relaxation to the reserved categories.
Competition Law Admission Process
Before getting into a prestigious law school or college it is crucial that you go through the admissions process of the institution as it is different for each college. Check out the below-mentioned admission process of competition law to get an idea of the procedure that you might encounter after applying for admission.
- Most of the colleges/universities offer admission to the aspirants as per the common entrance exam or the one separately conducted by the college/university.
- Some colleges offer admission depending on the merit score of the applicant. Candidates with higher marks in the qualifying exam have more chances of getting shortlisted for admission to their desired college.
Competition Law Courses Syllabus
Different colleges and institutions have different Competition Law Syllabi. The following are a few of the frequent themes or subjects covered in the many competition law courses:
| Competition law and policy | Introduction to Economic Concepts |
| Commission and Sector Regulators | Salient Features of Indian Competition Act/ Jurisdictions |
| Evolution of Competition Law and Policy | Indian Competition Act – Substantive Provisions |
| Substantive Provisions of the Indian Competition Act | Competition Law and Business Strategy |
| Competition Policy | Cartels |
| Anti-Competitive Agreements | Merger Control |
| Markets and Competition | Abuse of Dominance |
| The interface between Competition | Emerging Issues in Competition Law in India |
| Commission and Sector Regulators | Salient Features of Indian Competition Act/ Jurisdictions |
| Evolution of Competition Law and Policy | Indian Competition Act – Substantive Provisions |
| Substantive Provisions of the Indian Competition Act | The interface between Competition Law and Business Strategy |
Top Competition Law Colleges in India
For whatever degree of preference, one may study courses in competition law. Below is a list of some of India’s top law schools where one can apply for a coveted degree in competition law:
Competition Law Courses in Delhi
| Name of the Colleges | Name of the Course | Average Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| National Law University (NLU) | LLM in Competition Law | INR 1,86,000 |
| University School of Law and Legal Studies | LLM in Competition Law | INR 3,70,000 |
| Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies | LLM in Competition Law | INR 92,500 |
Competition Law Courses in Kolkata
| Name of the Colleges | Name of the Course | Average Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| NLU Kolkata (NUJS) | MA in Business Law with specialization in Competition Law | INR 50,000 |
| Surendranath Law College | LLM in Competition Law | INR 12,980 |
| Amity Law School | LLM in Competition Law | INR 1,00,000 |
Competition Law Courses in Mumbai
| Name of the Colleges | Name of the Course | Average Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Symbiosis Law School, Pune | LLM in Competition Law | INR 1,41,250 |
| Kirit P Mehta School of Law, Mumbai | LLM in Competition Law | INR 1,26,500 |
| Sandip University | LLM in Competition Law | INR 60,000 |
Competition Law Courses in Chennai
| Name of the Colleges | Name of the Course | Average Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Tamilnadu Dr Ambedkar Law University | LLM in Competition Law | INR 67,200 |
| Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science | LLM in Competition Law | INR 188,000 |
| Vels University | LLM in Competition Law | INR 1,13,880 |
Competition Law Courses in Bangalore
| Name of the Colleges | Name of the Course | Average Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| National Law School of India University | LLM in Competition Law | INR 2,18,875 |
| CMR University School of Legal Studies | LLM in Competition Law | INR 1,15,000 |
| MS Ramaiah College of Law | LLM in Competition Law | INR 2,50,000 |
Skills Required to be a Competition Lawyer
Competition lawyers are under pressure to perform effectively since they must prevail in court proceedings in order to protect both their clients’ interests and their own reputations. The following are some of the qualifications needed to become a successful competition lawyer:
Communication Skills
To present their cases in court, persuade clients to hire them, interact with witnesses to elicit information, or engage in any other type of negotiation or dialogue, competition lawyers must possess great verbal communication skills.
Research, Analytical and Logical Reasoning Skills
Competition To pay attention to details, select only pertinent material from the massive quantity of data they gather during research, connect the dots, and take a broad view of the issue, lawyers must have good analytical and logical thinking skills.
Commercial Awareness
It’s a contest. Lawyers need to keep up with changes in the social, economic, political, and corporate environments in which they or their clients operate in addition to local and international legal developments.
Moral Code
Although the competitors’ attorneys have legal commitments to their clients, this shouldn’t stand in the way of upholding a standard of conduct that is both moral and professional. They ought to take care to avoid sacrificing moral principles and ideals in order to win the case, protect the privacy of their clients, and have faith in the justice system.
Other abilities needed to work as a competition lawyer include:
| Good time management skills | Good judgment of situation/people |
| Confidence | Objectivity |
| Persuasiveness | Convincing power |
| Good presentation skills | Attention to detail |
Scope of Competition Law Courses
- The scope of a profession in competition law is very extensive, both in India and overseas. There are many changes in both the public and commercial sectors for this field of law, making it a highly strong and all-encompassing choice.
- The CCI (Competition Commission of India), India’s regulatory body, has many openings for individuals with various degrees.
- Due to multinational corporations’ need for competition law specialists as they grow their operations internationally, competition lawyers are more in demand now than they have ever been. Large cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore have the highest concentration of need for competitive law firms in India.
Job Prospects After Competition Law Courses
The following list includes the top job descriptions provided by the various hiring companies in the nation:
| Job Profiles | Job Description |
|---|---|
| Independent Practitioner | Independent practitioners work on enforcement matters which include information filing, and defending corporations of medium sizes among others. They can also hire junior advocates and can help them to gather experience in corporate and civil litigation. |
| Senior Advocate | Senior Advocates work with different law firms and their competition teams and atters are argued upon by them. Mostly, they also have juniors to assist them, draft the replies to various matters as briefed by other law firms and research various propositions. |
| Research Associates | Research Associates are law professionals who are mainly associated with the Competition Commission of India CCI. They need to draft the orders given by CCI on current matters and also have to research in the preparation of the same. |
| Lawyer at Law Firms | One can join the Tier-1 and Tier-2 law firms as a lawyer. They are responsible for acquisitions, amalgamations and mergers and other such transactions. The competition lawyers identify if transactions require CCI approval and have to file the short form or long-form II containing the details of the transactions. |
| Policy Researcher | Policy Researchers are mainly involved in creating public awareness regarding various social issues that include environmental protection, crime prevention, access to healthcare etc. |
| Professor | If one wishes to go in the teaching line, they can always join law colleges across the country as faculty and impart knowledge to the next generation of aspirants who want to take up competition law as their career. |
Top Recruiters
Some of the major organisations in India that use competition attorneys are:
| Tier 1 and 2 Law Firms | |
| Intel | Indian railways |
| CCI | Flipkart |
| Vidhi Centre for Policy and Legal Research | CUTS Institute for Regulation and Competition |
| Jindal Institute on IP and Competition | |
| Amazon | Jindal Global Law School |
| NLSIU | Khaitan and Co. |
Salary Post Completing Competition Law Courses
A competition lawyer’s salary is based on their level of experience and industry knowledge. In India, a competition lawyer makes an average salary of INR 27 LPA. Depending on their work profile, experienced competition lawyers can easily make between INR 15 LPA and INR 48 LPA.
Job Profile & Average Annual Salary
| Job Profiles | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Independent Practitioner | INR 25-20 LPA |
| Senior Advocate | INR 15-33 LPA |
| Research Associates | INR 5-7 LPA |
| Lawyer at Law Firms | INR 10-17 LPA |
| Policy Researcher | INR 6-7 LPA |
| Professor | INR 5-9 LPA |
Gender Wise Salary
| Gender | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Male | INR 7.62 LPA |
| Female | INR 7.14 LPA |
City Wise Salary
| Gender | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Delhi | INR 5.9 LPA |
| Mumbai | INR 7.20 LPA |
| Bangalore | INR 10.48 LPA |
| Kolkata | INR 6.2 LPA |
| Chennai | INR 4.68 LPA |
Experience Wise Salary
| Experience (in Years) | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fresher (Less than 5 years of experience) | INR 2 to 4 LPA |
| Experienced | INR 6 to 14 LPA |
Competition Law Courses: FAQs
Ans. The greatest university to study competition law is National Law University (NLU), Delhi, a National Law University in India. Competition law courses are available at all levels through NLU Delhi, including certificate, diploma, and degree programmes.
Ans. In government universities, a postgraduate degree in competition law typically costs between INR 70,000 and INR 2,000,000. While the average cost for competition law courses at private law schools is INR 3–4 LPA.
Ans. A postgraduate degree, such as an LLM, takes two years to complete. Courses for the diploma in competition law last one year. The certificate programmes typically last three to six months.
Ans. National Law University, Delhi, O.P. Jindal Global University, The W.B. National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), and Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University are the leading institutions in India that provide the LLM degree in competition law.
Ans. Aspirants who have finished courses in competition law are mostly recruited by law firms, the judiciary, corporate counsels, taxation firms, litigation, multinational corporations, and law clerks or assistants.
Ans. Yes, one can study an MA in Business Law with a speciality in Competition Law in addition to the LLM degree in Competition Law. The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, NLU Kolkata (NUJS), and O.P. Jindal Global University, Haryana, are the institutions offering the course.
Ans. One needs to have a graduate or bachelor’s degree in the relevant discipline in order to enrol in competition law courses. The candidate must have successfully completed either a three- or five-year integrated law programme (LLB-LLM) from an accredited law school or college.
Ans. No, there is a postgraduate speciality in law called “Competition Law.” Therefore, a career in this profession requires a Master’s degree at the competition level. After graduating, one may pursue a diploma.
Ans. The All India Legal Entrance Test, AMU Law Entrance Exam, Symbiosis Entrance Test(SET), Delhi University Law Entrance Exam, All India Bar Exam (AIBE), and others are a few of the law entrance tests for admissions to the Competition Law Courses.
Ans. In India, there is no speciality in convention law for competition attorneys. However, in recent years, this field’s scope has expanded both domestically and internationally. In terms of pay and status, a career as a competition lawyer can be quite satisfying, but in order to get there, one must work hard and be conscientious.
Ans. As the Directorate General, NCLAT, and CCI offices are all located in the Delhi-NCR region, the majority of career possibilities in the field of competition law are focused in Delhi and Mumbai. In addition, cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore are the finest destinations to pursue this career because the majority of MNCs have their headquarters there.