Dhanendra Kumar

Dhanendra Kumar (1946-2026) was a civil servant who was the first chair of Competition Commission of India (CCI). Kumar formerly served as executive director at World Bank.

Biography Born in 1946, Kumar joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1968. Kumar has served as a secretary to the following ministries: Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Ministry of Culture

Kumar is the founder of the chairman of Competition Advisory Services (India) LLP (COMPAD). During his career, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has constituted a Committee under his chairmanship for framing of National Competition Policy (India) and related matters (formulate amendments in the Act).

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (MHUPA) has constituted a Committee under his chairmanship on Streamlining Approval Procedures for Real Estate Projects (SAPREP). Kumar is currently assisting Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (of Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India) as Principal Advisor and Chief Mentor of School of Competition Law – the upcoming National Centre of Excellence.

Kumar is invited regularly by all major business focused media houses and newspapers in India viz. The Economic Times, Business Standard, Mint (newspaper), Businessworld, Hindustan Times, The Financial Express (India), Moneycontrol, CNBC TV18, Deccan Herald, Business Line, Navbharat Times, Hindustan (newspaper), Amar Ujala, The Quint amongst others to author articles and OpEd on business topics of contemporary interest.

Awards Kumar was given the National Citizen's Award by Mother Teresa for outstanding contribution in development of Industrial Parks in Haryana. Kumar was also awarded honorary doctorate in recognition of outstanding contribution in public affairs.

Career

From To Designation Institution 04/2012 Present Chairman Committee – Streamlining Approval Procedures for Real Estate Projects (SAPREP), Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (MHUPA) 06/2011 Present Chairman Committee – National Competition Policy, Ministry of Corporate Affairs 02/2009 06/2011 Chairman Competition Commission of India 11/2005 01/2009 Executive Director – India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan The World Bank 08/2005 10/2005 Secretary Ministry of Defence, Government of India 07/2004 07/2005 Secretary Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India 10/2002 06/2004 Secretary Ministry of Culture, Government of India 05/2002 10/2002 Chairman & managing director Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd. 09/1998 05/2002 Additional Secretary Ministry of Communications, Government of India 05/1996 09/1998 Financial Commissioner Government of Haryana 06/1991 05/1996 Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Government of Haryana 06/1991 05/1996 Chairman Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (HSIIDC) 05/1991 05/1991 Joint Secretary Ministry of Textiles, Government of India 08/1988 05/1991 managing director Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (HSIIDC) 05/1986 07/1988 Joint Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India 01/1983 05/1986 Resident Director Indian Investment Centre, London 08/1979 01/1983 Director of Industries Government of Haryana 06/1978 07/1979 Registrar of Cooperative Societies Government of Haryana 07/1977 06/1978 Deputy Secretary (Irrigation and Power) Government of Haryana 10/1976 07/1977 District collector District of Karnal, Government of Haryana 11/1975 10/1976 District collector District of Jind, Government of Haryana 08/1973 10/1975 Labour Commissioner Government of Haryana 04/1969 08/1973 Assistant Commissioner (Ambala) Government of Haryana 04/1969 08/1973 Sub Divisional Officer–Civil (Hansi) Government of Haryana 04/1969 08/1973 Additional District collector Government of Haryana

Articles and OpEds in popular press

Newspaper/Media GroupTitleYYYY/DDTheme The Economic Times Bharti's BT Group deal could open doors for the 'real East India Company' to flourish 2024/08 Telecom & IT The Economic Times Developing our skiller instinct 2024/08 Indian Economy Business Standard GST reforms shaping India's economic future 2024/08 Indian Economy Business Standard E-commerce as a major building block for Viksit Bharat@2047 2024/07 Investment Business Standard Budget 2024: Defining trajectory pathways for Viksit Bharat@2047 2024/07 Investment Amar Ujala Reform of bankruptcy law is included in the 100 days agenda of Modi government, what is the need for it? 2024/07 Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC) Business Standard Impact of Digital Competition Bill on India's homegrown startup ecosystem 2024/07 Competition Law Businessworld Reform Insolvency Law To Expedite Resolutions And Include Cross-Border & Group Insolvencies 2024/06 Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC) The Economic Times India's path to developed economy status hinges on natural resource management 2024/06 Economy - Natural Resources Hindustan (newspaper) Some important steps to make India better 2024/06 Indian Economy Mint (newspaper) Modi 3.0: What the PM may focus on for India's transformation into Viksit Bharat 2024/06 Indian Economy Businessworld ESG Assumes Criticality As Delhi & Other Parts Sizzle Above 50 Degree Celsius 2024/06 ESG Business Standard Role of foreign investments in India's thriving startup ecosystem 2024/05 Foreign Investment Communication Today Emerging trends in Indian telecom and Artificial Intelligence 2024/05 Telecom & IT The Economic Times Ignore India at your own peril 2024/05 Investment Amar Ujala Importance of IBC Code and Timely Compliance for Industries in India 2024/05 Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC) Mint (newspaper) IBC tale of delay: Speed up insolvency resolution for this reform to shine 2024/05 Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC) Business Standard Intellectual property and competition law: Two sides of the same coin 2024/04 IPR and Competition Law Mint (newspaper) Competition penalties going by global turnover call for a rethink 2024/04 Competition Law Business Standard Online gaming can help India's development goals, needs clear regulations 2024/03 Online Gaming The Economic Times Big tech, don't be a big brother 2024/03 Competition Law Navbharat Times What savings can be achieved through rooftop solar scheme 2024/02 Energy Business Standard PM Suryodaya Yojana will help in self-sufficiency in country's energy needs 2024/02 Energy The Economic Times Not Complete without Competition 2024/02 Competition Law Amar Ujala Indispensability of drones for country's security and border surveillance 2024/02 Defence Sector Hindustan Times India's quest for aatmanirbharta in drones 2024/01 Defence Sector Navbharat Times Rejuvenation of Ayodhya 2024/01 Culture Hindustan Times Single-use technologies in the biopharmaceutical industry 2024/01 Pharma India Times Happy Holidays-Guides For Ease Of Travelling Business 2024/01 Travel & Tourism Businessworld UNESCO Recognises India's Garba As World's Intangible Cultural Heritage 2023/12 Culture Hindustan Times Port control is crucial to national security 2023/12 Infrastructure & Logistics Business Standard From local to global: Competition Law gained much traction in 2023 2023/12 Competition Law Storyboard 18 Self-regulation for safe and accountable online gaming industry 2023/12 Online Gaming Mint (newspaper) Excessive executive pay must be held in check for India Inc's sake 2023/12 Corporate Governance Business Standard Indian investors need protection from manipulative short-selling practices 2023/11 Investment Business Standard Tax conundrum in online gaming landscape: All eyes on the apex court 2023/11 Online Gaming The Financial Express (India) Safeguarding India's maritime interests 2023/11 Infrastructure & Logistics Businessworld SEBI's Roles as Guardian of Investors, Environment, Sustainability 2023/11 Investment Navbharat Times There will be benefit from increasing the scope of DMAT 2023/11 Investment Business Standard AI and antitrust: Balancing innovation with competition 2023/10 Competition Law Hindustan Times Ports hold the key to growth, employment 2023/10 Infrastructure & Logistics Mint (newspaper) Online gaming taxation, Look for a practical way out 2023/10 Online Gaming Communication Today Regulation of OTT platforms in India 2023/10 Digital Media Navbharat Times Garba can be included in UNESCO Heritage 2023/10 Culture The Economic Times BRICS: The mortar of competition in a globalised world 2023/10 Competition Law The Financial Express (India) Only pros for mandatory demat 2023/10 Investment Hindustan Times Unlocking India's tourism potential 2023/09 Travel & Tourism Navbharat Times SEBI's new rules come to save investors 2023/09 Investment The Economic Times M&As in the time of digital economy 2023/09 Merger & Acquisition Businessworld Protect Indian Investors 2023/09 Investment Moneycontrol Strategise on ways to mop up domestic sources with foreign funds drying up for startups 2023/09 Start-up India Business Standard G20 Summit will boost India's travel and tourism industry 2023/09 Travel & Tourism Navbharat Times Common man's dreams get new fly 2023/09 Civil Aviation Businessworld Role Of General Counsels In Competition Compliance 2023/08 Competition Law, GC The Economic Times A competitive aviation sector is truly giving wings to India's rapidly growing economy 2023/08 Civil Aviation CNBC TV18 Online Gaming-here's how the new taxation effectively cascades from 28% to over 50% 2023/08 Online Gaming Navbharat Times How will customers become king in the power sector? 2023/07 Power The Economic Times India has become the most sought-after investment destination for Singapore 2023/07 Investment Hindustan Times EV adoption guidelines must be more practical 2023/07 Road Transport The Financial Express (India) Empowering the power sector 2023/07 Power Navbharat Times Will the Vaccine give victory over Diabetes 2023/07 Healthcare Businessworld Role of General Counsels in Competition Compliance 2023/07 Competition Law, GC The Economic Times If You're a Platform, Pay 2023/07 Digital Media, Competition Law The Financial Express (India) Online gaming: guardrails for sustainable growth 2023/07 Online Gaming Hindustan Times Developed India needs an efficient bus system 2023/07 Public Transport Navbharat Times What did the defense sector get from Modi's US visit? 2023/07 Defence Sector Business Standard Diabetes a pandemic, needs vaccines, efficacious medication for contro 2023/07 Healthcare Mint (newspaper) The country is ready for a major bulk-up of its defence armory 2023/06 Defence Sector Communication Today Telecom, IT, and Internet revolution in India 2023/06 Telecom & IT Business Standard 14 years of Competition Commission: Young regulator faces new challenges 2023/05 Competition Day 20 May Business Standard Entry of foreign law firms in India: A move that may change the landscape 2023/04 Opening Indian Legal Services to Foreign Law Firms The Financial Express (India) The global banking crisis and Yes Bank 2023/04 Banking & Financial System The Economic Times Foreign trade, a new pathway 2023/04 E-commerce Business Standard Historic changes coming in law with Parliament's nod to Competition Bill 2023/04 Competition Law Businessworld E-Commerce: Don't Over-Regulate But Let It Expand Consumers' Choice 2023/03 E-Commerce Businessworld Country is on a High Growth Trajectory despite Global Headwinds 2023/02 Indian Economy ASSOCHAM CRA E-Bulletin Leader's Insight: Interview of Mr Dhanendra Kumar with ASSOCHAM 2023/01 Competition Law Business Standard How bike taxis can ease urban mobility woes and boost the economy 2023/01 Mobility & Environment Deccan Herald With right policy, bike taxis can ease urban mobility 2023/01 Mobility & Environment The Financial Express (India) Don't need a Big Tech Competition Law 2023/01 Digital India The Hindu Businessline Digital markets. Why a new law against Big Tech? 2023/01 Digital India The Financial Express (India) Looking back at Competition Law in 2022 2022/12 Competition Law The Financial Express (India) No settlement route for cartels 2022/12 Competition Law Navbharat Times To economy, how much speed will give bike-taxis? 2022/12 Mobility & Environment Business Standard G20 presidency gives India opportunity to showcase its ed-tech leadership 2022/12 Digital India The Economic Times Yamuna river pollution: Remove froth in surfactant sector 2022/10 Surfactant Navbharat Times Its time to say bye-bye paper notes 2022/10 Banking & Financial System The Economic Times We should count polymer notes 2022/09 Banking & Financial System The Economic Times Tweaking incentives for promoting exports of apparels and garments from India 2022/09 Textiles The Hindu Businessline Why India's online gaming industry desperately needs a regulatory architecture 2022/07 Online Gaming The Financial Express (India) Law & order in corporate governance 2022/06 Corporate Governance, GC Business Line Rationalise FDI approvals under PN3 2022/06 Ease of Doing Business in FDI The Economic Times The world is looking at India to show the way in EdTech 2022/06 Start-up India Indian Business Law Journal Don't ignore CCI's teeth 2022/05 Competition Law The Financial Express (India) The challenges ahead for the Competition Commission of India 2022/05 Competition Law The Financial Express (India) The Buddha connect 2022/05 International Relations The Times of India India's upcoming foreign trade policy need laser focus on logistics sector and e-commerce 2022/03 Indian Economy Competition Policy International Competition policy and start-ups in India 2022/03 Competition Law The Economic Times How India can use Covid as an opportunity to build logistics sector better 2022/01 Infrastructure & Logistics Mint (newspaper) Amplify e-commerce and help all MSMEs reach markets online 2022/01 Start-up India The Financial Express (India) What 2021 held for Indian competition law (2021/12) Competition Law Business Standard Here's how India's gig economy and its $5-trn goal by 2025 are connected (2021/12) Digital India The Economic Times View: Can big data be used as a factor to assess 'non-price competition' in the online medium? (2021/11) Competition Law The Financial Express (India) Bridging learning divide outcomes in online education (2021/11) Digital India Moneycontrol India is well-placed in the unicorn race (2021/11) Start-up India The Economic Times View: It is time for BSNL to go down the privatisation path, just like Air India (2021/10) Infrastructure & Telecom Business Line Allow e-commerce sector in India to flourish (2021/10) E-commerce The Economic Times Will the new telecom relief package help the ailing industry? A former bureaucrat decodes (2021/09) Infrastructure & Telecom The Economic Times Why India's ailing telecom sector needs 1999-style bold reforms (2021/09) Infrastructure & Telecom The Quint AGR Dues & Retrospective Tax: Moving on From Flawed Decisions (2021/09) Infrastructure, Telecom & Taxation Business Line Enforcing contracts key to ‘ease of business’ (2021/09) Ease of Doing Business The Economic Times View: Reduce the regulatory cholesterol in e-commerce. The draft rules increase it (2021/07) Regulatory Reforms in E-commerce The Financial Express (India) A behind the curtain look at CCI's analysis of M&A (2021/07) Competition Law The Financial Express (India) A world-class merger control regime (2021/06) Competition Law The Financial Express (India) Covid-19 – an inflexion point for e-commerce (2021/06) E-commerce & Regulatory reforms The Financial Express (India) E-commerce policy: Needed for speedy, inclusive growth (2021/04) E-commerce & Regulatory reforms The Times of India The fight against Covid is an all-out war. Government must deploy resources and engage the private sector accordingly (2021/04) Private Sector Development Raksha Anirveda MSME's Start-ups crucial for Atmanirbharta in Defence (2021/04) Developing MSMEs for Indian Defence The Financial Express (India) Bring The Destination Home: Meetings & social events are scheduled on online platforms, so why not travel? (2021/03) Travel Infrastructure The Times of India WhatsApp must be investigated on whether it is fiddling with private data to distort market competition (2021/03) Competition Law & Data Regulation Mint (newspaper) An antitrust probe to safeguard the rights of our WhatsApp users (2021/03) Competition Law & Data Regulation The Indian Express Time for a defence unicorn (2021/02) Developing unicorns in defence The Indian Express How to make unicorns and stop the startup drain (2021/02) Start-up India & Regulatory reforms CPI Reshaping the Contours of Combination Threshold through the 2020 Draft Competition Amendment Bill – Meeting the Need with Digital Merger Control in India? (2021/02) Reforms in Competition Law The Financial Express (India) Battling Covid-19 with digital armour (2021/01) Digital India The Financial Express (India) Budget FY22: Budgeting for atmanirbhar growth (2021/01) Indian Economy National Law School of India University Chilling competition? Trade associations & the Indian Competition Regime (2020/10) Competition Law & Trade Associations The Financial Express (India) MSMEs: Digitise and modernise to thrive (2020/07) Digital India & MSMEs The Financial Express (India) Beyond India's Coronavirus Unlock 1.0: An age of innovation (2020/06) Digital India & Need of Innovation The Financial Express (India) Covid-19 crisis for startups: Innovating to survive, and then thrive (2020/05) Need of innovations in startups The Financial Express (India) After lockdown, phased reopening: Authorities should proactively work to restart industry and businesses (2020/05) Indian Economy-measure to accelerate Vivekananda International Foundation Development of Infrastructure in India – The Vehicle for Developing Indian Economy (2017/04) Infrastructure development in India The Indian Express Regulating lightly - The digital economy calls for a new kind of oversight (2016/12) Digital India & Regulations Business Line Let them rock (2015/08) Digital India & startups The Financial Express (India) Competition policy crucial for Narendra Modi's 3S mantra (2014/07) Competition Law & Policy Rail India Technical and Economic Service JournalWorld Economic Outlook – Growth Strategies of Developing Countries and the Case of India (2014/07) Indian Economy- infrastructure for accelerating economy The Financial Express (India) CCIs realty test (2014/06) Competition Law The Financial Express (India) Taming the TAM (2013/07) Competition Law The Financial Express (India) Budget and the internet economy (2013/03) Indian Economy & internet Rail India Technical and Economic Service JournalGlobal Economic Resurgence: Hopes for Developing Economies (2013/07) Developing Economies & infrastructure Rail India Technical and Economic Service JournalCompetition: Unlocking India's Economic Growth Potential (2011/07) Competition for accelerating Indian Economy Rail India Technical and Economic Service JournalCompetition and Road Transport Sector (2010/07) Indian economy & road transport