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 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.

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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Samrat

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