Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to domestic arbitration, international commercial arbitration and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards as also to define the law relating to conciliation and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Sections
- 1 Short title, extent and commencement 2 judgments
Chapter I
- 2 Definitions 50 judgments
- 3 Receipt of written communications 2 judgments
- 4 Waiver of right to object 3 judgments
- 5 Extent of judicial intervention 14 judgments
- 6 Administrative assistance 2 judgments
- 44 Definition 5 judgments
- 45 Power of judicial authority to refer parties to arbitration 11 judgments
- 46 When foreign award binding 3 judgments
- 47 Evidence 6 judgments
- 48 Conditions for enforcement of foreign awards 17 judgments
- 49 Enforcement of foreign awards 5 judgments
- 50 Appealable orders 8 judgments
- 51 Saving
- 52 Chapter II not to apply
Chapter II
- 7 Arbitration agreement 30 judgments
- 8 Power to refer parties to arbitration where there is an arbitration agreement 69 judgments
- 9 Interim measures, etc., by Court 79 judgments
- 53 Interpretation 1 judgment
- 54 Power of judicial authority to refer parties to arbitration
- 55 Foreign awards when binding
- 56 Evidence
- 57 Conditions for enforcement of foreign awards
- 58 Enforcement of foreign awards
- 59 Appealable orders
- 60 Savings
Chapter III: Conciliation
- 10 Number of arbitrators 4 judgments
- 11 Appointment of arbitrators 235 judgments
- 11A Power of Central Government to amend Fourth Schedule
- 12 Grounds for challenge 12 judgments
- 13 Challenge procedure 3 judgments
- 14 Failure or impossibility to act 14 judgments
- 15 Termination of mandate and substitution of arbitrator 10 judgments
- 61 Application and scope
- 62 Commencement of conciliation proceedings
- 63 Number of conciliators
- 64 Appointment of conciliators
- 65 Submission of statements to conciliator 8 judgments
- 66 Conciliator not bound by certain enactments
- 67 Role of conciliator 4 judgments
- 68 Administrative assistance 8 judgments
- 69 Communication between conciliator and parties 3 judgments
- 70 Disclosure of information 1 judgment
- 71 Co-operation of parties with conciliator
- 72 Suggestions by parties for settlement of dispute
- 73 Settlement agreement 2 judgments
- 74 Status and effect of settlement agreement 1 judgment
- 75 Confidentiality 4 judgments
- 76 Termination of conciliation proceedings
- 77 Resort to arbitral or judicial proceedings
- 78 Costs
- 79 Deposits
- 80 Role of conciliator in other proceedings 4 judgments
- 81 Admissibility of evidence in other proceedings 12 judgments
Chapter IV: Supplementary Provisions
- 16 Competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on its jurisdiction 36 judgments
- 17 Interim measures ordered by arbitral tribunal 21 judgments
- 82 Power of High Court to make rules 1 judgment
- 83 Removal of difficulties
- 84 Power to make rules
- 85 Repeal and savings 3 judgments
- 86 Repeal and saving
- 87 Effect of arbitral and related court proceedings commenced prior to 23rd October, 2015 2 judgments
Chapter V
- 18 Equal treatment of parties 2 judgments
- 19 Determination of rules of procedure 6 judgments
- 20 Place of arbitration 8 judgments
Sections
- 21 Commencement of arbitral proceedings 11 judgments
- 22 Language
- 23 Statements of claim and defence 13 judgments
- 24 Hearings and written proceedings 1 judgment
- 25 Default of a party 2 judgments
- 26 Expert appointed by arbitral tribunal
- 27 Court assistance in taking evidence 3 judgments
Chapter VI
- 28 Rules applicable to substance of dispute 2 judgments
- 29 Decision making by panel of arbitrators
- 29A Time limit for arbitral award 15 judgments
- 29B Fast track procedure
- 30 Settlement 4 judgments
- 31 Form and contents of arbitral award 29 judgments
- 31A Regime for costs 2 judgments
- 32 Termination of proceedings 2 judgments
- 33 Correction and interpretation of award; additional award 7 judgments
Chapter VII
- 34 Application for setting aside arbitral awards 192 judgments
Chapter VIII
- 35 Finality of arbitral awards 7 judgments
- 36 Enforcement 18 judgments
Chapter IX
- 37 Appealable orders 83 judgments
Chapter X
- 38 Deposits 3 judgments
- 39 Lien on arbitral award and deposits as to costs 1 judgment
- 40 Arbitration agreement not to be discharged by death of party thereto 2 judgments
- 41 Provisions in case of insolvency
- 42 Jurisdiction 10 judgments
- 42A Confidentiality of information
- 42B Protection of action taken in good faith
- 43 Limitations 12 judgments
Chapter IA: Arbitration Council of India
- 43A Definitions
- 43B Establishment and incorporation of Arbitration Council of India
- 43C Composition of Council
- 43D Duties and functions of Council
- 43E Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Council
- 43F Resignation of Members
Sections
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.