IICA Graduates First Cohort of Certified Arbitration Professionals, Champions Institutional Reforms for India’s Dispute Resolution Future
The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) marked a milestone in bolstering India’s arbitration ecosystem with the successful conclusion of its inaugural Certified Arbitration Program (ICAP) on October 12, 2025, at the IICA Campus in Manesar. Organized by the Centre of Excellence in Alternative Dispute Resolution (CEADR) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the program is designed to nurture a new cadre of global arbitration experts amid India’s accelerating economic ascent.
The two-day campus immersion and valedictory session kicked off on October 11 with an inauguration led by Justice Hemant Gupta, Chairperson of the India International Arbitration Centre. In his keynote address, Justice Gupta praised IICA’s proactive role in fortifying the nation’s arbitration framework. Underscoring the imperative for a resilient alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system to attract investor trust, he advocated for institutional arbitration to streamline and enhance the efficiency of arbitral proceedings. “As India surges ahead economically, a structured ADR mechanism is vital for sustaining momentum,” Justice Gupta asserted.
Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director-General and CEO of IICA, extended a warm welcome to the dignitaries, felicitating Chief Guest Dr. Rajiv Mani, Secretary in the Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law and Justice, and Guest of Honour Prof. P.K. Malhotra, former Law Secretary. In his address, Singh spotlighted key studies on arbitration challenges, declaring institutional arbitration as “the need of the hour” to standardize practices across the landscape. He delved into persistent hurdles like the enforceability of arbitral awards, proposing targeted strategies to address them and foster a more predictable environment.
Prof. Malhotra echoed the sentiment on the untapped prowess of Indian arbitration professionals but flagged gaps in the supporting infrastructure. He called for revitalizing the Arbitration Council of India through essential amendments to ensure its operational efficacy, emphasizing that a supportive ecosystem is crucial for elevating India’s global standing in dispute resolution.
The session culminated with Dr. Rajiv Mani’s valedictory address, where he traced arbitration’s historical precedence in India’s constitutional evolution—revealing lesser-known preferences by the framers for ADR during transitional phases. Urging a paradigm shift, Dr. Mani implored stakeholders to rethink mindsets entrenched in conventional court litigation, promoting arbitration and other ADR modes as efficient alternatives. “It’s time to evolve our philosophy and embrace innovative paths to justice,” he remarked.
In the vote of thanks, Prof. (Dr.) Naveen Sirohi, Head of CEADR at IICA, expressed gratitude to the speakers for their profound insights and lauded the participants and organizing team for their dedication. As India positions itself as a dispute resolution hub, ICAP’s launch signals a strategic push toward professional excellence, potentially reshaping commercial and international arbitration dynamics in the years ahead.
