**Executive Summary**
This document announces updates to India's arbitration framework, highlighting the establishment of the Arbitration Council of India (ACI) and the India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC). The ACI, once constituted, will frame policies for grading arbitral institutions. The IIAC aims to provide world-class arbitration services and promote institutional arbitration, with recent events including a June 2025 conference and a September 2025 debate and webinar.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Arbitration Council of India (ACI):**
* Section 10 of the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019 provides for the establishment of a seven-member Arbitration Council of India.
* ACI will frame policies for grading arbitral institutions, recognizing professional institutes, and holding training.
* The ACI has not yet been constituted.
* **Amendments to Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996:**
* Amendments in 2015, 2019, and 2021 aim for timely conclusion of arbitration, neutrality of arbitrators, minimized judicial intervention, and quick enforcement of awards.
* The amendments are for promoting institutional arbitration and updating the law to reflect best global practices.
* **India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC):**
* Established through the India International Arbitration Centre Act, 2019.
* Aims to create an independent body for facilitating institutional arbitration, including international commercial arbitration.
* Provides world-class arbitration services and administrative support.
* Envisaged to become a model arbitral institution.
* **IIAC Initiatives:**
* June 2025 conference organized with the Department of Legal Affairs and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation to raise awareness among Central Public Sector Enterprises.
* September 2025 Oxford-Style Debate at the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi on Institutional Arbitration.
* September 2025 webinar organized with Federation of Indian Exports Organisation to highlight importance of institutional arbitration for exporters.
* Launched an annual magazine for disseminating knowledge of law and procedures on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
* **Adoption of IIAC:**
* In the financial year 2024-25, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Gas Authority of India Limited, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited adopted IIAC as the designated arbitral institution in their dispute resolution clauses.
**Impact Analysis**
**Arbitral Institutions and Arbitrators**
* **Impact:** The ACI will grade arbitral institutions and recognize professional institutes for arbitrator accreditation, which might lead to accreditation requirements.
* **Action Required:** Arbitral institutions and arbitrators need to prepare for the potential grading and accreditation policies of the ACI.
**Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)**
* **Impact:** CPSEs are encouraged to adopt institutional arbitration, with some already designating the IIAC in dispute resolution clauses.
* **Action Required:** CPSEs should consider incorporating institutional arbitration, specifically through the IIAC, in their dispute resolution mechanisms.
**Exporters**
* **Impact:** Increased awareness of the benefits of institutional arbitration for resolving commercial disputes.
* **Action Required:** Exporters should consider using institutional arbitration through IIAC for commercial dispute resolution.
**Legal Community**
* **Impact:** Increased awareness and knowledge of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
* **Action Required:** Legal professionals are encouraged to stay updated on the latest developments and procedures related to the IIAC and arbitration.
Key Entities Referenced
Arbitration Council of India: A seven-member body proposed under the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019 to frame policies for grading arbitral institutions and accrediting arbitrators; however, it has not yet been constituted.
Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996: The principal law governing arbitration in India, which has been amended in 2015, 2019, and 2021 to improve the arbitration process.
India International Arbitration Centre: An independent body established under the India International Arbitration Centre Act, 2019 to facilitate institutional arbitration, including international commercial arbitration.
Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019: An amendment to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, including provisions for establishing the Arbitration Council of India.
Ministry of Law and Justice: The ministry responsible for legal affairs and legislation, playing a role in arbitration-related initiatives.
Ministry of Law and Justice
ARBITRATION COUNCIL OF INDIA
Posted On: 06 FEB 2026 1:41PM by PIB Delhi
Section 10 of the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019, vide which Part IA has been
inserted in the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, provides for the establishment of a seven member
body called the Arbitration Council of India, inter-alia for framing policies governing the grading of
arbitral institutions, recognizing professional institutes providing accreditation of arbitrators and holding
training, workshops and courses in the area of arbitration. The Arbitration Council of India has not been
constituted as yet.
During the past decade, the Government of India has taken various initiatives with a view to develop India
as a hub of arbitration. These include amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 carried
out in the years 2015, 2019 and 2021. These amendments aim at ensuring timely conclusion of arbitration
proceedings, neutrality of arbitrators, minimizing judicial intervention in the arbitral process and quick
enforcement of arbitral awards. The amendments are further aimed at promoting institutional arbitration,
updating the law to reflect best global practices and resolve ambiguities thereby establishing an arbitration
ecosystem where arbitral institutions can flourish.
The India International Arbitration Centre Act, 2019, has been enacted, leading to the establishment of the
India International Arbitration Centre for the purpose of creating an independent and autonomous body for
facilitating institutional arbitration including for international commercial arbitration. The Centre is
providing world class arbitration related services at its facilities in a cost effective manner, including
reputed empanelled arbitrators and requisite administrative support for the smooth conduct of arbitral
proceedings. The Centre is envisaged to become a model arbitral institution in the country, thereby paving
the way for enhancing the quality of institutional framework for arbitration.
Further, continuous steps are being taken for creating awareness about and promoting institutional
arbitration in the country. In the month of June 2025, a conference was organised by the Department of
Legal Affairs in collaboration with India International Arbitration Centre and Oil and Natural Gas
Corporation, a Central Public Sector Enterprise, to raise awareness about the benefits of institutional
arbitration among Central Public Sector Enterprises. The Conference served as a dynamic platform for
dialogue on institutional arbitration and the importance of adopting institutional arbitration under the aegis
of India International Arbitration Centre.
In September, 2025, India International Arbitration Centre hosted an Oxford-Style Debate at the Hon'ble
High Court of Delhi on the topic of Institutional Arbitration and the debate witnessed compelling
arguments led by eminent speakers. Following this, in the month of September 2025, a webinar on the
theme Institutional Arbitration was also organised by the India International Arbitration Centre, in
collaboration with Federation of Indian Exports Organisation which brought together the exporters to
understand the importance of institutional arbitration in resolving commercial disputes.
India International Arbitration Centre has also launched the inaugural edition of its annual magazine, for
dissemination of knowledge of law and procedures on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. The
magazine contains articles from amongst others, notable national and international arbitrationpractitioners.
In the financial year 2024-25, certain Central Public Sector Enterprises being Oil and Natural Gas
Corporation, Gas Authority of India Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, have adopted
India International Arbitration Centre as the designated arbitral institution in their dispute resolution
clauses.
India International Arbitration Centre also continues to take steps for disseminating the advantages of
institutional arbitration.
This information was given by the MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in Lok Sabha today.
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