Under Section 46 and the related provisions of the Competition Act, 2002, the CCI may impose a LESSER PENALTY on a member of a CARTEL who:

The leniency/lower-penalty regime under Section 46 of the Competition Act, 2002 (read with the Competition Commission of India (Lesser Penalty) Regulations, 2009) allows a member of a cartel who makes a FULL and TRUE DISCLOSURE of its involvement and cooperates in the inquiry to be granted a LESSER PENALTY than would otherwise be imposed. The earlier and more complete the disclosure, the greater the reduction - the first applicant generally receives the most substantial cut. This incentivises voluntary cooperation and destabilises cartels. Leniency is a signature tool of modern competition enforcement. It does not require the applicant to pay first or to exit the market.