New Delhi, Sept. 29 -- India is veering towards a standalone digital competition law that would have guardrails with upfront rules of conduct for big tech, the powerful technology platforms, according to two people aware of discussions in the government. The alternative of adding a new chapter to the Competition Act of 2002-acting only after a breach-is still on the table but has few takers.

By moving towards pre-emptive guardrails, the government aims to shape how firms such as Google, Meta and Amazon use consumer data, treat smaller rivals, and define the room Indian start-ups have to compete and grow.

The discussions follow a March 2024 report by a government-appointed Committee on Digital Competition Law, which, along with a draft D...