#THE NEW DELHI INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE ACT, 2019
_______ 

##ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
________ 

###CHAPTER I 

###PRELIMINARY 

SECTIONS 

1. Short title and commencement. 
2. Definitions. 

###CHAPTER II 

###ESTABLISHMENT AND INCORPORATION OF NEW DELHI INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE 

3. Establishment and incorporation of New Delhi International Arbitration Centre. 
4. Declaration of New Delhi International Arbitration Centre as an institution of national  
importance. 
5. Composition of Centre. 
6. Terms and conditions, etc., of Chairperson and Members. 

###CHAPTER III 

###ACQUISITION AND TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGS OF SOCIETY 

7. Transfer and vesting. 
8. General effect of vesting. 
9. Liability prior to specified date. 
10. Power of Central Government to direct vesting of undertaking in Centre. 
11. Management, etc., of undertakings. 
12. Duties of persons in charge of management of undertakings to deliver all assets. 
13. Certain powers of Central Government or Centre. 
14. Objects of Centre. 
15. Functions of Centre. 
16. Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Centre. 
17. Resignation of Members. 
18. Removal of Members. 
19. Committees of Centre. 
20. Meetings of Centre. 
21. Chief Executive Officer. 
22. Delegation of powers. 
23. Secretariat. 

###CHAPTER IV 

###FINANCE, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT 

24. Grants by Central Government 
25. Fund of Centre. 
26. Accounts and audit. 
27. Assessment of assets and liabilities of undertaking. 

###CHAPTER V 

###CHAMBER OF ARBITRATION AND ARBITRATION ACADEMY 

28. Chamber of Arbitration. 
29. Arbitration Academy. 

###CHAPTER VI 

###MISCELLANEOUS 

30. Power to make rules. 
31. Power to make regulations. 
32. Laying of rules and regulations. 
33. Protection of action taken in good faith. 
34. Power to remove difficulty. 
35. Repeal and savings. 

 
 
#THE NEW DELHI INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE ACT, 2019 

##ACT NO. 17 OF 2019 

[26th July, 2019.] 

An Act to provide for the establishment and incorporation of the New Delhi International 
Arbitration Centre for the purpose of creating an independent and autonomous regime 
for  institutionalised  arbitration  and  for  acquisition  and  transfer  of  the  undertakings  of 
the  International  Centre  for  Alternative  Dispute  Resolution  and  to  vest  such 
undertakings  in  the  New  Delhi  International  Arbitration  Centre  for  the  better 
management  of  arbitration  so  as  to  make  it  a  hub  for  institutional  arbitration  and  to 
declare the New Delhi  International Arbitration Centre to be an institution of national 
importance and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 

WHEREAS  dispute  resolution  process  has  a  huge  impact  on  the  Indian  economy  and  global 
perception on doing business in our country and it has become necessary to inspire confidence and 
credibility among the litigants of commercial disputes; 

AND WHEREAS  rapidly  changing  economic  activity  demands  expeditious  settlement  of  disputes 
and creation and establishment of institutional arbitration; 

AND WHEREAS the International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution was set up in the year 
1995,  under  the  aegis  of  the  Central  Government  and  registered  under  the  Societies  Registration     
Act, 1860 (21 of 1860), with the objective of promoting alternative dispute resolution mechanism and 
providing facilities for the same; 

AND WHEREAS the International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution has received land and 
substantial funding by way of grants and other benefits from the Central Government for constructing 
infrastructure and making other facilities; 

AND  WHEREAS  the  International  Centre for  Alternative  Dispute  Resolution has not  been  able  to 
actively engage and embrace developments in the arbitration ecosystem and to create a reputation par 
excellence keeping pace with the dynamic nature of arbitration over more than two decades; 

AND WHEREAS studies conducted by the High Level Committee appointed by the Central 
Government  indicate  that  the  International  Centre  for  Alternative  Dispute  Resolution  has  failed  to 
address the  growing  needs  of the institutional arbitration  and  also to  bear  optimum  caseload  and to 
become better choice to the parties for arbitration; 

AND WHEREAS it has become expedient to take over the undertakings of the International Centre 
for Alternative Dispute Resolution including its regional offices without interfering with its activities 
and without adversely affecting its character as a Society but to utilise its existing infrastructure and 
other facilities which have been set up by using the public funds provided by the Government and to 
incorporate  a  robust  institution  for  domestic  and  international  arbitration  to  be  known  as  the  New 
Delhi International Arbitration Centre; 

AND WHEREAS  it  is  considered  necessary  to  declare  the  New  Delhi  International  Arbitration 
Centre as an institution of national importance for its overall development as a major arbitration hub 
by promoting quick and efficient dispute resolution mechanism. 

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventieth Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 

###CHAPTER I 

###PRELIMINARY 

1. **Short title and commencement.**—(1) This Act may be called the New Delhi International 
Arbitration Centre Act, 2019. 

(2) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 2nd March, 2019. 

2. **Definitions.**—(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— 

  (a) “Centre”  means  the  New  Delhi  International  Arbitration  Centre  established  and 
incorporated under section 3; 

  (b) “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Centre referred to in clause (a) of section 5; 

  (c) “Chief Executive Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer appointed under section 21; 

  (d) “Committee” means the relevant Committee of the Centre referred to in section 19; 

  (e) “Custodian”  means  the  person  who  is  appointed  as  Custodian  under  sub-section  (2)  of 
section 11 in respect of the undertakings; 

  (f) “Fund” means the Fund of the Centre to be maintained under section 25; 

  (g) “Member”  means  Full-time  or  Part-time  Member  of  the  Centre  and  includes  the 
Chairperson; 

  (h) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette; 

  (i) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the Central Government under this Act; 

  (j) “regulations” means regulations made by the Centre under this Act; 

  (k) “Society” means the International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution, registered as 
such  under  the  Societies  Registration  Act,  1860 (21 of  1860), and  having  its  registered  office  at 
New Delhi; 

  (l) “specified  date”  means  the  date  as  may  be  specified  by  the  Central  Government  by 
notification; 

  (m) “undertakings” means the undertakings of the Society which vests with the Central 
Government under section 7. 

(2) All other words and expressions used herein but not defined and defined in the Arbitration and 
Conciliation Act, 1996 (26 of 1996), shall have the same meanings as assigned to them in that Act. 

###CHAPTER II 

###ESTABLISHMENT AND INCORPORATION OF NEW DELHI INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE 

3. **Establishment and incorporation of New Delhi International Arbitration Centre.**—(1) The 
Central Government shall, by notification, establish a body to be called the New Delhi International 
Arbitration Centre for the purposes of exercising the powers and discharging the functions under this 
Act. 

(2) The Centre shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a 
common  seal  with  power,  subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  to  acquire,  hold  and  dispose  of 
property, both movable and immovable, and to enter into contract, and shall, by the said name, sue or 
be sued. 

4. **Declaration  of  New  Delhi  International  Arbitration  Centre  as  an  institution  of  national 
importance.**—(1) Whereas, the objects of the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre are such as 
to make it as an institution of national importance, it is hereby declared that the New Delhi 
International Arbitration Centre is an institution of national importance. 

(2) The head office of the Centre shall be at New Delhi and it may with the previous approval of 
the Central Government, establish branches at other places in India and abroad. 

5. **Composition of Centre.**—The Centre shall consist of the following Members, namely:–– 

  (a) a person, who has been a Judge of the Supreme Court or a Judge of a High Court or an 
eminent  person,  having  special  knowledge  and  experience  in  the  conduct  or  administration  of 
arbitration,  law  or  management,  appointed  by  the  Central  Government  in  consultation  with  the 
Chief Justice of India––Chairperson; 

  (b)  two  eminent  persons  having  substantial  knowledge  and  experience  in  institutional 
arbitration,  both  domestic  and  international,  appointed  by  the  Central  Government––Full-time 
Members or Part-time Members; 

  (c) one  representative  of  a  recognised  body  of  commerce  and  industry,  chosen  on  rotational 
basis by the Central Government––Part-time Member; 

  (d) Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice or his representative, 
not below the rank of the Joint Secretary––Member, *ex officio*; 

  (e) one Financial Adviser nominated by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance––
Member, *ex officio*; and 

  (f) Chief Executive Officer––Member, *ex officio*.

6. **Terms and conditions, etc., of Chairperson and Members.**––(1) The Chairperson and 
Members  shall  hold  office  for  a  term of three years from the date on which  they  enter  upon  their 
office and shall be eligible for re-appointment: 

Provided that no Chairperson or Member shall hold office as such after he has attained the age of 
seventy years in the case of Chairperson and sixty-seven years in the case of a Member. 

(2) The  terms  and  conditions,  salaries  and  allowances  payable  to  the  Chairperson  and  Full-time 
Member shall be such as may be prescribed. 

(3) The term of office of a Member appointed to fill a casual vacancy shall be for the remainder of 
the term of the Member in whose place he has been appointed. 

(4) The  Part-time  Member  shall  be  entitled  to  such  travelling  and  other  allowances  as  may  be 
prescribed. 

###CHAPTER III 

###ACQUISITION AND TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGS OF SOCIETY 

7. **Transfer and vesting.**––On  and  from  the  specified  date,  so  much  of  the  undertakings  of  the 
Society as form part of, or are relatable to the Society, and the right, title and interest of the Society in 
relation to such undertakings, shall, by virtue of this Act, stand transferred to, and vest in, the Central 
Government. 

8. **General effect of vesting.**––(1) The  undertakings  vested  under  section  7  shall  be  deemed  to 
include all assets, rights, leaseholds, powers, authorities and privileges, and all property (movable and 
immovable), including lands, buildings, works, projects, instruments, automobiles and other vehicles, 
cash balances, funds, including reserve funds, investments and book debts of the Society as form part 
of,  or  are  relatable  to, the Society  and  all  other  rights  and  interest  arising  out  of  such  properties  as 
were  immediately  before  the  commencement  of  the  New  Delhi  International  Arbitration  Centre 
Ordinance, 2019 (Ord. 10 of 2019) in the ownership, possession, power or control of the Society, and 
all books of account, registers and all other documents of whatever nature relating thereto. 

(2) All  properties  and  assets  as  aforesaid  which  have  vested  in  the  Central  Government  under 
section 7 shall, by force of such vesting, be freed and discharged from any trust, obligation, mortgage, 
charge,  lien  and  all  other  encumbrances  affecting  them  or  of  any  attachment,  injunction,  decree  or 
order of any court or other authority restricting the use of such properties or assets in any manner or 
appointing  any  receiver  in  respect  of  the  whole  or  any  part  of  such  properties  or  assets  shall  be 
deemed to have been withdrawn. 

(3) Any licence or other instrument granted to the Society in relation to any undertaking which has 
vested in the Central Government under section 7 at any time before the specified date and in force 
immediately  before  the  specified  date,  shall  continue  to  be  in  force  on  and  after  such  day  in 
accordance  with  its  tenor  in  relation  to  and  for  the  purpose  of  such  undertaking  or  where  the 
undertaking  is  directed  under  section  10,  to  vest  in  the  Centre,  the  Centre  shall  be  deemed  to  be 
substituted in such licence or other instrument as if such licence or other instrument had been granted 
to  the  Centre  and  the  Centre  shall  hold  it  for  the  remainder  of  the  period  which  the  Society  would 
have held it under the terms thereof. 

(4) If, on the specified date, any suit, appeal or other proceeding, of whatever nature, in relation to 
any  property  or  asset  which  has  vested  in  the  Central  Government  under  section  7,  instituted  or 
preferred by or against the Society is pending, the same shall not abate, be discontinued or be, in any 
way,  prejudicially  affected  by  reason  of  the  transfer  of  the  undertaking  of  the  Society  of  anything 
contained  in  this  Act,  but  the  suit,  appeal  or  other  proceeding  may  be  continued,  prosecuted  or 
enforced by or against the Central Government or where the undertakings of the Society are directed 
under section 10, to vest in the Centre, by or against the Centre. 

9. **Liability prior to specified date.**––Every liability in relation to any undertaking in respect of 
any  period  prior  to  the  specified  date,  shall  be  enforceable  against  the  Society  and  not  against  the 
Central Government. 

10. **Power of Central Government to direct vesting of undertaking in Centre.**––(1) 
Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  sections  7  and  8,  the  Central  Government  shall,  as  soon  as 
may  be  after  the  specified  date,  direct  by  notification,  that  the  undertakings  and  the  right,  title  and 
interest of the Society in relation to such undertakings which had vested in the Central Government 
under section 7, shall, vest in the Centre either on the date of publication of the notification or on such 
earlier or later date as may be specified in the notification. 

(2) Where  the  right,  title  and  interest  of  the  Society  in  relation  to  the  undertakings  vest,  under 
sub-section (1), in the Centre, the Centre shall, on and from the date of such vesting, be deemed to 
have become the owner in relation to such undertakings and the rights and liabilities of the Central 
Government in relation to such undertakings shall, on and from the date of such vesting, be deemed to 
have become, the rights and liabilities, respectively, of the Centre. 

11. **Management, etc., of undertakings.**––(1) The general superintendence, direction, control and 
management of affairs of the undertakings, the right, the interest in relation to which have vested in 
the Central Government under section 7, shall–– 

  (a) where  a  direction  has  been  made  by  the  Central  Government  under  sub-section  (1)  of 
section 10, vest in the Centre; or 

  (b) where no such direction has been made by the Central Government, vest in the Custodian 
appointed by the Central Government under sub-section (2), 

and,  thereupon,  the  Centre  or  the  Custodian  so  appointed,  as  the  case  may  be,  shall  be  entitled  to 
exercise  all  such  powers  and  do  all  such  things  as  the  Society,  is  authorised  to  exercise  and  do  in 
relation to its undertakings. 

(2) The  Central  Government  may  appoint  any  person  as  the  Custodian  of  the  undertakings  in 
relation to which no direction has been made by it under sub-section (1) of section 10. 

(3) The Custodian so appointed shall receive such remuneration as the Central Government may 
fix and shall hold office during the pleasure of the Central Government. 

12. **Duties of persons in charge of management of undertakings to deliver all assets.** –– (1) On 
the vesting of the management of the undertakings in the Centre or on the appointment of a Custodian 
under  sub-section  (2)  of  section  11,  all  persons  in  charge  of  management  of  the  undertakings 
immediately before such vesting or appointment shall be bound to deliver to the Centre or Custodian, 
as  the  case  may  be,  all  assets,  books  of  account,  registers  and  other  documents  in  their  custody 
relating to the undertakings. 

(2) The  Central  Government  may  issue  such  directions  as  it  may  deem  desirable  in  the 
circumstances  of  the  case  to  the  Custodian  as  to  the  powers  and  duties  of  the  Custodian  and  such 
Custodian  may  also, if it  is  considered  necessary  so to  do, apply  to  the  Central  Government  at  any 
time for instructions as to the manner in which the management of the undertaking shall be conducted 
or in relation to any other matter arising in the course of such management. 

(3) Any person who on the specified date, has in his possession or under his control, any books, 
documents or other papers relating to the undertakings shall be liable to account for the said books, 
documents or other papers to the Central Government or the Custodian or the Centre, as the case may 
be, and shall deliver them to the Central Government or the Custodian or the Centre or to such person 
or body of persons as the Central Government or the Centre may specify in this behalf. 

(4) The Central Government or the Centre may take or cause to be taken, all necessary steps for 
securing possession of all undertakings which have vested in the Central Government or the Centre 
under this Act. 

(5) The  Society  shall,  within  such  period  as  the  Central  Government  may  allow  in  this  behalf, 
furnish  to  that  Government  a  complete  inventory  of  all  its  properties  and  assets,  as  on  the 
commencement of the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Ordinance, 2019 (Ord. 10 of 2019) 
pertaining to the undertaking and for this purpose, the Central Government or Custodian or the Centre 
shall afford to the Society, or body all reasonable facilities. 

13. **Certain powers of Central Government or Centre.**––The  Central  Government  or  the 
Custodian  or  the  Centre  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  up  to  the  specified  date,  to  the  exclusion  of  all 
other persons, any money due to the Society in relation to its undertakings which have vested in the 
Central  Government  or  Custodian  or  the  Centre,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  realised  after  the 
commencement of the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Ordinance, 2019 (Ord. 10 of 2019), 
notwithstanding that the realisation pertains to a period prior to the commencement of the New Delhi 
International Arbitration Centre Ordinance, 2019 (Ord. 10 of 2019). 

14. **Objects of Centre.** –– The objects of the Centre shall be,–– 

  (a) to  bring  targeted  reforms  to  develop  itself  as  a  flagship  institution  for  conducting 
international and domestic arbitration; 

  (b) to promote research and study, providing teaching and training, and organising conferences 
and  seminars  in  arbitration,  conciliation,  mediation  and  other  alternative  dispute  resolution 
matters; 

  (c) to  provide  facilities  and  administrative  assistance  for  conciliation,  mediation  and  arbitral 
proceedings; 

  (d) to maintain panels of accredited arbitrators, conciliators and mediators both at national and 
international level or specialists such as surveyors and investigators; 

  (e) to  collaborate  with  other  national  and  international  institutions  and  organisations  for 
ensuring credibility of the Centre as a specialised institution in arbitration and conciliation; 

  (f) to set up facilities in India and abroad to promote the activities of the Centre; 

  (g) to  lay  down  parameters  for  different  modes  of  alternative  dispute  resolution  mechanisms 
being adopted by the Centre; and 

  (h) such other objectives as it may deem fit with the approval of the Central Government. 

15. **Functions of Centre.**––  Without  prejudice  to  the  provisions  contained  in  section  14,  the 
Centre shall strive,–– 

  (a) to  facilitate  for  conducting  international  and  domestic  arbitration  and  conciliation  in  the 
most professional manner; 

  (b) to provide cost effective and timely services for the conduct of arbitration and conciliation 
at national and international level; 

  (c) to promote studies in the field of alternative dispute resolution and related matters, and to 
promote reforms in the system of settlement of disputes; 

  (d) to undertake teaching and to provide for diffusion of knowledge of law and procedures on 
alternative dispute resolution and related matters and to award certificates and other academic or 
professional distinction; 

  (e) to  impart  training  in  alternative  dispute  resolution  and  related  matters  to  those  who  are 
handling arbitration, conciliation and mediation; 

  (f) to co-operate with other societies, institutions and organisations, national or international for 
promoting alternative dispute resolution; and 

  (g) to  perform  such  other functions  as  may  be  entrusted  to  it  by  the  Central  Government  for 
promoting alternative dispute resolution. 

16. **Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Centre.** ––No  act  or  proceedings  of  the 
Centre shall be invalid merely by reason of,–– 

  (a) any vacancy or any defect in the constitution of the Centre; or 

  (b) any defect in the appointment of a person acting as a Member of the Centre; or 

  (c) any irregularity in the procedure of the Centre not affecting the merits of the case. 

17. **Resignation of Members.** ––The Chairperson or the Full-time Member or Part-time Member 
may, by notice in writing, under his hand addressed to the Central Government, resign his office: 

Provided that the Chairperson or the Full-time Member shall, unless he is permitted by the Central 
Government to relinquish his office sooner, continue to hold office until the expiry of three months 
from the date of receipt of such notice or until a person duly appointed as his successor enters upon 
his office or until the expiry of his term of office, whichever is the earlier. 

18. **Removal of Members.**––  (1) The Central Government may, remove a Member from his 
office if he,–– 

  (a) is an undischarged insolvent; or 

  (b) has engaged at any time (except Part-time Member), during his term of office, in any paid 
employment; or 

  (c) has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Central Government, involves 
moral turpitude; or 

  (d) has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his functions 
as a Member; or 

  (e) has  so  abused  his  position  as  to  render  his  continuance  in  office  prejudicial  to  the  public 
interest; or 

  (f) has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as a Member. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no Member shall be removed from his 
office on the grounds specified in clauses (d) and (e) of that sub-section unless the Supreme Court, on 
a reference being made to it in this behalf by the Central Government, has, on an inquiry, held by it in 
accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed in this behalf by the Supreme Court, reported 
that the Member, ought on such ground or grounds to be removed. 

19. **Committees of Centre.**–– (1) The Centre  may  constitute  such  Committees  as  may  be 
considered necessary to administer various aspects of its functions. 

(2) The composition and functions of the Committees referred to in sub-section (1) shall be such as 
may be prescribed. 

(3) The  Committee  shall  meet  at  such  time  and  at  such  places  and  shall  observe  such  rules  of 
procedure  in  regard  to  the  transaction  of  business  at  its  meetings  including  the  quorum  as  may  be 
specified by the regulations. 

20. **Meetings of Centre.**–– (1) The Chairperson shall ordinarily preside at the meetings of the 
Centre: 

Provided  that,  in  his  absence,  the  Member  chosen  by  the  other  Members  present  amongst 
themselves shall preside at the meetings. 

(2) It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Chairperson  to  ensure  that  the  decisions  taken  by  the  Centre  are 
implemented. 

(3) The  Chairperson  shall  exercise  such  other  powers  and  perform  such  other  duties  as  are 
assigned to him under this Act. 

(4) The Centre shall meet  at  least  four  times  a  year  and  follow  such  procedure  in  its  meetings 
including quorum at such meetings in such manner as may be specified by the regulations. 

(5) All questions which come up before any meeting of the Centre shall be–– 

  (a) decided by a majority of votes by the Members present and voting, and in the event of an 
equality of votes, the Chairperson or in his absence, the person presiding, shall have a casting vote; 

  (b) dealt  with  as  expeditiously  as  possible  and  the  Centre  shall  dispose  of  the  same  within  a 
period of sixty days from the date of receipt of the application: 

Provided  that  where  any  such  application  could  not  be  disposed  of  within  the  said  period  of 
sixty days, the Centre shall record its reasons in writing for not disposing of the application within 
that period. 

(6) The Chairperson may invite any expert, not being a Member, to attend the  meetings  of  the 
Centre, but such invitee shall not be entitled to vote at the meeting. 

21. **Chief Executive Officer.**–– (1) There shall be a Chief Executive Officer of the Centre who 
shall be responsible for day-to-day administration of the Centre and for this purpose, he shall maintain 
liaison with the Centre and the Secretariat. 

(2) The appointment, qualifications and the terms and conditions of services of  the  Chief 
Executive Officer shall be such as may be specified by the regulations. 

(3) The Chief Executive Officer shall exercise such powers and discharge such functions as may 
be specified by the regulations or as may be delegated to him by the Centre. 

22. **Delegation of powers.**–– The Centre may, for the purpose of discharging  of  its  powers, 
functions and duties, by general or special order in writing, specify the powers and duties conferred or 
imposed upon the Centre by or under this Act (except the power to make regulation) which may also 
be exercised or performed by the Chief Executive Officer or any officer or officers of the Centre and 
the conditions and restrictions, if any, subject to which the powers and duties may be exercised and 
performed. 

23. **Secretariat.**–– (1) There shall be a Secretariat to the Centre consisting of–– 

  (a) Registrar, who shall supervise the activities of the Centre; 

  (b) Counsel, dealing with the matters relating to domestic and international arbitration; and 

  (c) such number of other officers and employees as may be prescribed. 

(2) The qualifications, experience, method of selection and the functions of the Registrar, Counsel 
and other officers and employees shall be such as may be prescribed. 

###CHAPTER IV 

###FINANCE, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT 

24. **Grants by Central Government.**–– The Central Government may,  after due  appropriation 
made  by  Parliament  by  law  in  this  behalf, pay to the Centre in each financial year such sums of 
money and in such manner as it may think fit for being utilised for the purposes of this Act. 

25. **Fund of Centre.** –– (1) The Centre shall maintain a Fund to which shall be credited,— 

  (a) all monies provided by the Central Government; 

  (b) all fees and other charges received during or in connection with the arbitration, conciliation, 
mediation or other proceedings; 

  (c) all monies received by the Centre for the facilities provided by it to the parties; 

  (d) all monies received by the Centre in the form of donations, grants, contributions and income 
from other sources; and 

  (e) the amount received from the investment income. 

(2) All monies credited to the Fund shall be deposited in such banks or invested in such manner as 
may be decided by the Centre. 

(3) The Fund shall be applied towards meeting the salaries and other allowances of Members and 
the expenses of the Centre including expenses incurred in the exercise of its powers and discharge of 
its duties under this Act. 

26. **Accounts and audit.** –– (1) The Centre shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant 
records and prepare an annual statement of accounts, including the balance sheet, in such form and 
manner as may be prescribed in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. 

(2) The accounts of the Centre shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India 
and any expenditure incurred by him in connection with such audit shall be payable by the Centre to 
the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. 

(3) The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and any person appointed by him in connection 
with  the  audit  of  the  accounts  of  the  Centre  shall  have  the  same  rights,  privileges  and  authority  in 
connection with such audit as the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India has in connection with 
the audit of the Government accounts, and, in particular, shall have the right to demand the production 
of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and papers and to inspect the offices of 
the Centre. 

(4) The accounts of the Centre as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or any 
other person appointed by him in this behalf together with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded 
annually  to  the  Central  Government  and  the  Central  Government  shall  cause  the  same  to  be  laid 
before each House of Parliament. 

27. **Assessment of assets and liabilities of undertaking.**––The assets and liabilities in relation to 
any  undertaking  under  this  Act  shall  be  caused  to  be  assessed  by  any  agency  authorised  by  the 
Comptroller  and  Auditor-General  of  India  in  such  manner  as  may  be  specified  by  him  and  any 
payment on a claim to be made in relation thereto shall be settled by him between the Society and the 
Central Government and shall be paid by the Society or the Central Government, as the case may be, 
in the manner as may be specified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. 

###CHAPTER V 

###CHAMBER OF ARBITRATION AND ARBITRATION ACADEMY 

28. **Chamber of arbitration.**––(1) The Centre shall, establish a Chamber of Arbitration which 
shall empanel the Arbitrators and also scrutinise the applications for admission in the panel of reputed 
arbitrators to maintain a permanent panel of arbitrators. 

(2) The Chamber of Arbitration shall consist of experienced arbitration practitioners of repute, at 
national and international level and persons having wide experience in the area of alternative dispute 
resolution and conciliation. 

(3) The Centre shall by regulations lay down the criteria for admission to the panel of the cadre so 
as  to  maintain  a  pool  of  reputed  arbitrators  having  expertise  in  international  commercial  arbitration 
and arbitration other than international commercial arbitration. 

(4) The Registrar to the Secretariat of the Centre shall act as the Member-Secretary to the Chamber 
of Arbitration. 

29. **Arbitration Academy.** –– (1) The Centre may establish an Arbitration Academy–– 

  (a) to  train  the  arbitrators,  particularly  in  the  area  of  international  commercial  arbitration  to 
compete on par with the reputed international arbitral institutions; 

  (b) to conduct research in the area of alternative dispute resolution and allied areas; and 

  (c) to give suggestions for achieving the objectives of the Act. 

(2) For  the  purposes  of  sub-section  (1),  there  may  be  constituted  a  permanent  three  member 
committee in order to suggest and to submit a report to the Centre with respect to the amendments, if 
any, necessary to the rules and regulations made under this Act. 

###CHAPTER VI 

###MISCELLANEOUS 

30. **Power to make rules.** — (1) The Central Government may, by notification, make rules to 
carry out the provisions of this Act. 

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may 
make provision for— 

  (a) the terms  and  conditions  and  the  salaries  and  allowances  payable  to  the  Chairperson  and 
Full-time Members under sub-section (2) of section 6; 

  (b) the travelling and other allowances payable to the Part-time Members under sub-section (4) 
of section 6; 

  (c) the  composition  and functions of the  Committees  referred to in  sub-section (2)  of  section 
19; 

  (d) the number of officers and employees of the Secretariat of the Centre under clause (c) of 
sub-section (1) of section 23; 

  (e) the  qualifications,  experience,  method  of  selection  and  the  functions  of  the  Registrar, 
Counsel and other officers and employees of the Centre under sub-section (2) of section 23; 

  (f) annual statement  of accounts,  including  the  balance  sheet  under  sub-section (1)  of  section 
26; and 

  (g) any other matter in respect of which provision is to be made or may be made under this Act. 

31. **Power to make regulations.** —  (1)  The  Centre  may,  with  the  previous  approval  of  the 
Central Government, by notification, make regulations consistent with this Act and the rules made 
thereunder to provide for all matters for which provision is necessary or expedient for the purposes 
of giving effect to the purposes of this Act. 

(2) In  particular,  and  without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  foregoing  power,  such 
regulations may make provision for–– 

  (a) the time and place and the rules of procedure to be observed in regard to the transaction 
of business  of  the  Committee  at  the  meetings  including  the  quorum  under  sub-section  (3)  of 
section 19; 

  (b) the time and place and rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business of the 
Centre  or  any  Committee  including the quorum at the meeting under sub-section (4) of 
section 20; 

  (c) the  appointment,  qualifications  and  the  terms  and  conditions  of  service  of  the  Chief 
Executive Officer under sub-section (2) of section 21; 

  (d) the  powers  and  functions of the Chief Executive Officer under sub-section (3) of 
section 21; 

  (e) the  criteria  for  admission  to  the  panel  of  reputed  arbitrators  under  sub-section  (3)  of 
section 28; and 

  (f) any other matter in respect of which provision, in the opinion of the Centre, is necessary 
for the performance of its functions under this Act. 

32. **laying of rules and regulations.** –– Every rule and regulation made under this Act shall be 
laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for 
a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive 
sessions,  and  if,  before  the  expiry  of  the  session  immediately  following  the  session  or  the 
successive  sessions  aforesaid,  both  Houses  agree  in  making  any  modification  in  the  rule  or 
regulation  or  both  Houses  agree  that  the  rule  or  regulation  should  not  be  made,  the  rule  or 
regulation shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case 
may  be;  so,  however,  that any  such  modification  or  annulment  shall be  without prejudice  to  the 
validity of anything previously done under that rule or regulation. 

33. **Protection of action taken in good faith.** –– No suit, prosecution or other legal 
proceedings  shall  lie  against  the  Centre,  the  Chairperson  or  Members  or  its  employees  and 
arbitrators for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or the 
rules or regulations made thereunder. 

34. **Power to remove difficulty.** –– (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions 
of this Act, the Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such 
provisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as may appear to it to be necessary for 
removing the difficulty: 

Provided that no such order shall be made under this section after the expiry of a period of two 
years from the date of commencement of this Act. 

(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before 
each House of Parliament. 

35. **Repeal and savings.** –– (1) The New Delhi International Arbitration  Centre  Ordinance, 
2019 (Ord. 10 of 2019) is hereby repealed. 

(2) Notwithstanding  such  repeal,  anything  done  or  any  action  taken  under  the  New  Delhi 
International Arbitration Centre Ordinance, 2019 (Ord. 10 of 2019), shall be deemed to have been 
done or taken under the provisions of this Act.