Lok Sabha Question No. 1223 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-06
Subject: Arbitration Council of India
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar, Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1223 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 06 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## ARBITRATION COUNCIL OF INDIA

1223. Shri Selvaganapathi T.M.: Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar:

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

- (a) whether there was a provision of Arbitration Council of India (ACI) in the Arbitration Act in 2019 to ensure predictability, transparency and efficiency in dispute resolution, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether even after six-years, ACI is yet to constitute;
- (c) if so, whether India can emerge as a hub of international arbitration without the constitution of ACI, if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for not expediting the constitution of the council;
- (d) whether non-establishment of the ACI is adversely affecting efforts to make India  a  hub  of  international  arbitration,  if  so,  the  steps  taken  to  ensure  the establishment of the ACI at the earliest;
- (e) whether the Government plans to regulate or promote institutional arbitration in the absence of mandated oversight body, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the reasons for the prolonged transition of corporates and PSUs from ad-hoc to institutional arbitration and the role played by the Government in facilitating this shift?

## 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) and (b) 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.

(c)  to  (f) 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  OxfordStyle  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 arbitration practitioners.

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.

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