Lok Sabha Question No. 2423 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-13
Subject: Mediation Council of India
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Brijmohan Agrawal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2423 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## MEDIATION COUNCIL OF INDIA

## 2423. SHRI BRIJMOHAN AGRAWAL:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

(a) the progress made towards the operationalization of the Mediation Council of India (MCI), including the current status of key appointments;

(b) the measures taken to ensure the continued recognition and quality assurance of mediation service providers and training institutes during the transitional phase;

(c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  any  interim  guidelines  to  facilitate  'Community Mediation' through District Legal Services Authorities to ensure rural access, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the steps being taken to standardize Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) mechanisms and the expected timeline for the full functioning of the Council?

## ANSWER

## 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)

(a): The Mediation Act, 2023, lays down the statutory framework for mediation to be adopted by parties to a dispute, especially institutional mediation, wherein various stakeholders have also been identified to establish a robust and efficacious mediation ecosystem in the country. As provided under section 1 (3) of the Mediation Act, 2023, some provisions of the Act have been  notified vide gazette  notification  dated  09.10.2023.  Pursuant  thereto  various  rules as required to be framed under the Mediation Act, 2023, being the Mediation Council of India (Salary, Allowances and other Terms and Conditions of Service of Chairperson and Members) Rules,  2024, Mediation  Council  of  India  (Traveling  and  other  Allowances  for  Part-time Chairperson and Part-time Members) Rules, 2024 and Mediation Council of India (Forms and Manner of Annual Statement of Accounts) Rules, 2024, have been notified on 13.06.2024.

Section  32  of  the  Mediation Act,  2023,  envisages  Mediation  Council  of  India  as  a  seven member  body  including  a  Chairperson,  one  member  having  experience  in  law  related  to mediation  or  alternative  dispute  resolution,  one  member  having  experience  in  research  or teaching  in  the  field  of  mediation  and  alternative  dispute  resolution  laws,  three ex-officio members  and  one  representative  of  a  recognized  body  of  commerce  and  industry.  One representative each of a recognized body of commerce and industry and Secretary Department of Expenditure have been nominated to the Council. The Chairperson and other Members of the Mediation Council of India are yet to be appointed.

(b) to  (d): Chapter  IX  of  the Mediation Act,  2023,  contains  novel  provisions  relating  to Mediation Service Providers and Mediation Institutes, wherein Section 40 enables Mediation Council of India to recognise mediation service providers and Section 42 enables Mediation Council  of  India  to  recognise mediation  institutes.  Similarly,  as  per  section  44  of  the Act, community  mediators  can  devise  suitable  procedure  for  the  purpose  of  resolving  disputes through community mediation and there is no role envisaged for the Central Government in this  regard.  Also,  as  per  Section  30  of  the  Act,  online  mediation  is  to  be  conducted  in accordance with the manner specified by the Mediation Council of India by way of regulations. These provisions however have not been notified and the Mediation Council of India is yet to be established.

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