The Government of India’s efforts to establish the country as a major centre for arbitration have gathered pace over the past decade, with several reforms and new institutions coming into focus.
Although the Arbitration Council of India — a seven‑member body proposed under the 2019 amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 — is yet to be formally set up, work on strengthening India’s arbitration ecosystem has continued on multiple fronts.
Over the years, the government has amended the Arbitration and Conciliation Act in 2015, 2019 and 2021 to make dispute resolution faster and more reliable. These changes aim to reduce delays, ensure neutrality of arbitrators, cut down unnecessary court intervention, and promote institutional arbitration. The amendments also bring Indian arbitration practices closer to global standards and remove several legal uncertainties.
A major step in this direction has been the creation of the India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC) under the India International Arbitration Centre Act, 2019. Designed as an independent institution, the Centre offers world‑class arbitration facilities, a panel of experienced arbitrators and full administrative assistance for smooth hearings. The government expects the IIAC to become a model institution and lead the way for improving arbitration services across the country.
To further promote institutional arbitration, the government and IIAC have organised several awareness initiatives. In June 2025, the Department of Legal Affairs, IIAC and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) jointly hosted a conference to highlight the benefits of choosing institutional arbitration, especially for Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
In September 2025, the IIAC held an Oxford‑Style Debate at the Delhi High Court on the importance of institutional arbitration, featuring leading experts and legal thinkers. The same month, it conducted a webinar with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) to educate exporters on how institutional arbitration can help resolve commercial disputes more efficiently.
The IIAC has also launched the first edition of its annual magazine to share knowledge on arbitration laws, procedures and global best practices. The publication features articles by renowned arbitration professionals from India and abroad.
In a major boost to the Centre, three major CPSEs — ONGC, GAIL (India) Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) — designated the IIAC as their preferred arbitral institution in dispute resolution clauses during the financial year 2024‑25.
With continuous outreach programmes and expanding adoption by public sector companies, the India International Arbitration Centre is expected to play a key role in promoting institutional arbitration and strengthening India’s position in the global dispute‑resolution landscape.
