Archive · 16 Dec 2025
Delhi HC defers Apple challenge to CCI’s global turnover penalty rules
Apple is fighting a rule in India that says companies can be fined based on their global earnings, not just what they make in India.
The Delhi High Court has postponed the case until January 2026.
Apple thinks the rule is unfair because it could lead to very big fines for things that only happen in India.
The Indian competition watchdog, the CCI, says the rule is fair and necessary.
The case is important because it could set a precedent for how big tech companies are treated in India.
Meanwhile, Apple is doing well in India, selling more iPhones every year.
Delhi High Court defers Apple's challenge to CCI’s global turnover penalty rules to January 2026.
Apple argues that calculating penalties based on global turnover is arbitrary and disproportionate.
CCI contends that global turnover is considered only as a last resort and penalties are determined after defining relevant markets.
Apple could face fines of nearly $38 billion if found guilty under the amended penalty framework.
The case is seen as a test of how India applies its new penalty framework to large multinational tech firms.
- Who
- Apple Inc. and the Competition Commission of India (CCI)
- What
- Challenge to India’s revised competition law provisions
- When
- Hearing deferred to 27 January 2026
- Where
- Delhi High Court
- Why
- To determine if penalties should be calculated on global turnover or India-specific revenue
- Date of Hearing
- 27 January 2026
- Bench Members
- Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela
- Apple's Concern
- Potential fines of nearly $38 billion
- CCI's Stance
- Global turnover considered as a last resort
- Apple's Growth in India
- 14 consecutive quarters of growth, expected 15.5 million iPhones sold in 2025
