India has risen from 82nd to 57th place in a global assessment of structural and pro-competitive reforms, reflecting progress in reducing market distortions and strengthening competitiveness between 2010 and 2023.
The improvement was recorded in the Market Distortions Performance Index prepared by the Competere Foundation for Trade and Competition Policy. The findings were presented in the report titled India’s Next Growth Frontier: Reducing Anti-Competitive Market Distortions to Build on India’s 2010–2023 Reform Progress.
The report evaluates the extent to which countries protect property rights, promote competition within domestic markets and support competition in international trade. According to the assessment, India’s 25-place rise resulted from sustained reforms aimed at improving market efficiency and creating a more competitive business environment.
GST and Insolvency Reforms Support Improvement
The report identified the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code as important components of India’s reform progress.
GST helped establish a more integrated national market by replacing several indirect taxes with a unified taxation framework. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code introduced a time-bound mechanism for resolving stressed assets and improving the allocation of capital.
The report also highlighted improvements in the broader regulatory environment and the modernisation of trade-facilitation systems.
These measures contributed to reducing administrative and market barriers while supporting investment, productivity and commercial activity.
Performance Assessed Across Three Pillars
The Market Distortions Performance Index examines economic conditions under three broad pillars: protection of property rights, domestic competition and international competition.
Property-rights protection affects the security of investments and the ability of businesses and individuals to use assets productively.
Domestic competition measures the extent to which companies can enter markets, compete fairly and operate without excessive regulatory or structural barriers.
International competition considers trade policies, external regulations and other conditions influencing a country’s ability to participate in global markets.
The report also examined India’s investment conditions, digital economy, competition framework and regulatory barriers affecting international trade.
Next Phase of Reform Discussed
The report was released during a discussion titled “India’s Reform Trajectory, Market Distortions and the Next Frontier for Growth and Competitiveness” at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.
The programme was organised by the Centre for Trade and Investment Law at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in collaboration with the Competere Foundation.
Participants discussed India’s structural reform journey, policies required to improve competitiveness and the next phase of changes needed to maintain economic growth amid shifts in the global trading environment.
Centre for Trade and Investment Law Professor and Head James J. Nedumpara opened the event by emphasising the importance of examining India’s reforms through the framework of international trade and global competitiveness.
Sudhanshu Pandey, State Election Commissioner of the Union Territory of Ladakh and former Secretary to the Government of India, delivered the keynote address.
Competere Foundation Chairman and President Shanker Singham presented the report’s principal findings.
Report Calls for Evidence-Based Competition Policy
The report recommended maintaining an evidence-based and effects-oriented approach to competition policy.
Such an approach focuses on the actual impact of business practices, regulations and market structures on consumers and competition rather than relying only on formal classifications.
It also called for a review of sector-specific investment restrictions based on their effects on consumer welfare, market entry and economic performance.
Greater cooperation with like-minded trading partners was suggested as a means of addressing regulatory barriers faced by Indian companies in overseas markets.
Focus on Productivity and Global Integration
Legal experts, industry representatives, academics and policymakers participated in a panel discussion on India’s competition framework, investment climate and international trade challenges.
The discussions examined ways to reduce remaining market distortions, improve productivity and strengthen India’s integration with the global economy.
India’s rise to 57th position indicates substantial reform progress during the 2010–2023 period. However, the report suggested that further improvements in competition policy, investment rules and international regulatory cooperation would be important for unlocking the country’s next phase of economic growth.
Reference
Press Information Bureau, Government of India
“India Rises from 82nd to 57th in Global Rankings, in Structural and Pro-Competitive Reforms: Report by Competere Foundation”
Published on July 30, 2026, at 12:09 PM
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