Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 – Table of Contents

The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (Act No. 26 of 1996) consolidates and amends the law relating to domestic arbitration, international commercial arbitration, enforcement of foreign arbitral awards, and conciliation. Browse the complete Act section-by-section below. Text reflects amendments up to the Mediation Act, 2023.

PRELIMINARY

• Section 1 — Short title, extent and commencement

PART I — ARBITRATION

CHAPTER I — General provisions

• Section 2 — Definitions
• Section 3 — Receipt of written communications
• Section 4 — Waiver of right to object
• Section 5 — Extent of judicial intervention
• Section 6 — Administrative assistance

CHAPTER II — Arbitration agreement

• Section 7 — Arbitration agreement
• Section 8 — Power to refer parties to arbitration where there is an arbitration agreement
• Section 9 — Interim measures, etc., by Court

CHAPTER III — Composition of arbitral tribunal

• Section 10 — Number of arbitrators
• Section 11 — Appointment of arbitrators
• Section 11A — Power of Central Government to amend Fourth Schedule
• Section 12 — Grounds for challenge
• Section 13 — Challenge procedure
• Section 14 — Failure or impossibility to act
• Section 15 — Termination of mandate and substitution of arbitrator

CHAPTER IV — Jurisdiction of arbitral tribunals

• Section 16 — Competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on its jurisdiction
• Section 17 — Interim measures ordered by arbitral tribunal

CHAPTER V — Conduct of arbitral proceedings

• Section 18 — Equal treatment of parties
• Section 19 — Determination of rules of procedure
• Section 20 — Place of arbitration
• Section 21 — Commencement of arbitral proceedings
• Section 22 — Language
• Section 23 — Statements of claim and defence
• Section 24 — Hearings and written proceedings
• Section 25 — Default of a party
• Section 26 — Expert appointed by arbitral tribunal
• Section 27 — Court assistance in taking evidence

CHAPTER VI — Making of arbitral award and termination of proceedings

• Section 28 — Rules applicable to substance of dispute
• Section 29 — Decision making by panel of arbitrators
• Section 29A — Time limit for arbitral award
• Section 29B — Fast track procedure
• Section 30 — Settlement
• Section 31 — Form and contents of arbitral award
• Section 31A — Regime for costs
• Section 32 — Termination of proceedings
• Section 33 — Correction and interpretation of award; additional award

CHAPTER VII — Recourse against arbitral award

• Section 34 — Application for setting aside arbitral awards

CHAPTER VIII — Finality and enforcement of arbitral awards

• Section 35 — Finality of arbitral awards
• Section 36 — Enforcement

CHAPTER IX — Appeals

• Section 37 — Appealable orders

CHAPTER X — Miscellaneous

• Section 38 — Deposits
• Section 39 — Lien on arbitral award and deposits as to costs
• Section 40 — Arbitration agreement not to be discharged by death of party thereto
• Section 41 — Provisions in case of insolvency
• Section 42 — Jurisdiction
• Section 42A — Confidentiality of information
• Section 42B — Protection of action taken in good faith
• Section 43 — Limitations

PART IA — ARBITRATION COUNCIL OF INDIA

• Section 43A — Definitions
• Section 43B — Establishment and incorporation of Arbitration Council of India
• Section 43C — Composition of Council
• Section 43D — Duties and functions of Council
• Section 43E — Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Council
• Section 43F — Resignation of Members
• Section 43G — Removal of Member
• Section 43H — Appointment of experts and constitution of Committees thereof
• Section 43-I — General norms for grading of arbitral institutions
• Section 43J — Norms for accreditation of arbitrators
• Section 43K — Depository of awards
• Section 43L — Power to make regulations by Council
• Section 43M — Chief Executive Officer

PART II — ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN FOREIGN AWARDS

CHAPTER I — New York Convention Awards

• Section 44 — Definition
• Section 45 — Power of judicial authority to refer parties to arbitration
• Section 46 — When foreign award binding
• Section 47 — Evidence
• Section 48 — Conditions for enforcement of foreign awards
• Section 49 — Enforcement of foreign awards
• Section 50 — Appealable orders
• Section 51 — Saving
• Section 52 — Chapter II not to apply

CHAPTER II — Geneva Convention Awards

• Section 53 — Interpretation
• Section 54 — Power of judicial authority to refer parties to arbitration
• Section 55 — Foreign awards when binding
• Section 56 — Evidence
• Section 57 — Conditions for enforcement of foreign awards
• Section 58 — Enforcement of foreign awards
• Section 59 — Appealable orders
• Section 60 — Savings

PART III — CONCILIATION

Note: The original detailed conciliation procedure (formerly Sections 63–81) was repealed and replaced by the Mediation Act, 2023. Part III now consists only of the two sections below.

• Section 61 — Reference of conciliation in enactments
• Section 62 — Saving

PART IV — SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS

• Section 82 — Power of High Court to make rules
• Section 83 — Removal of difficulties
• Section 84 — Power to make rules
• Section 85 — Repeal and savings
• Section 86 — Repeal and saving
• Section 87 — Effect of arbitral and related court proceedings commenced prior to 23rd October, 2015