Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 · Chapter V · Sections
Section 21: Commencement of arbitral proceedings
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral proceedings in respect of a particular dispute commence on the date on which a request for that dispute to be referred to arbitration is received by the respondent.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 16 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the section 21
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Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. v. Bcl Secure Premises Pvt. Ltd.
Issue arose whether the High Court, was justified in referring the parties to arbitration by allowing the petition u/s.11(4) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
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M/S Alchemist Hospitals Ltd. v. M/S Ict Health Technology Services India Pvt. Ltd.
Whether Clause 8.28 of the Agreement can be considered to be a valid arbitration agreement under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
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Adavya Projects Pvt. Ltd. v. M/s Vishal Structurals Pvt. Ltd. & Ors.
Whether service of a Section 21 notice and joinder in a Section 11 application are prerequisites to implead a person/entity as a party to the arbitral proceedings; What is the source of jurisdiction of an arbitral…
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M/S Arif Azim Co. Ltd. v. M/S Aptech Ltd.
Whether the Limitation Act, 1963 is applicable to an application for appointment of arbitrator u/s.11(6), Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996; if yes, whether the present petition is barred by limitation; when does…
- Amazon.Com Nv Investment Holdings Llc v. Future Retail Limited & Ors.
- Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. & Anr. v. M/S Nortel Networks India Pvt. Ltd.
- Bgs Sgs Soma Jv v. Nhpc Ltd.
- M/S. Bakemans Industries Pvt. Ltd. v. M/S. New Cawnpore Flour Mills and Others
- Ravi Prakash Goel v. Chandra Prakash Goel and Anr.
- U.P. State Sugar Corpn. Ltd. v. Jain Construction Co. and Anr.
- Milk Food Ltd. v. M/S. Gmc Ice Cream (P) Ltd.