Section 29A explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Section 29A puts a clock on the award. In matters other than international commercial arbitration, the award is due within twelve months from the completion of pleadings. The parties may extend by consent for up to six months, and after that only the Court can extend, failing which the arbitrators' mandate terminates.
The award in matters other than international commercial arbitration must be made within twelve months from the date of completion of pleadings under section 23(4). The parties may extend by consent by a further period not exceeding six months. If the award is not made in time, the mandate of the arbitrator(s) terminates unless the Court has extended the period, before or after expiry, on an application and only for sufficient cause. The Court may reduce arbitrator fees by up to five per cent. for each month of delay attributable to the tribunal, and may impose actual or exemplary costs. This is as per the India Code consolidated text consulted.
What section 29A is
In the India Code consolidated text, section 29A stands in Chapter VI of Part I, "Making of arbitral award and termination of proceedings". The footnotes show the section as inserted by s. 15 of Act 3 of 2016, with effect from 23-10-2015, and show sub-section (1) as substituted, and the second and third provisos to sub-section (4) as inserted, by Act 33 of 2019, s. 6, with effect from 30-8-2019.
The period is linked to the pleadings under section 23(4), which must themselves be completed within six months of the appointment notice; see section 23. For the overall arbitration timeline, see our note on arbitral award making and enforcement. If a deadline is close, arbitration support can help you plan the consent extension or the court application.
Sub-section (1): twelve months from completion of pleadings
"The award in matters other than international commercial arbitration shall be made by the arbitral tribunal within a period of twelve months from the date of completion of pleadings under sub-section (4) of section 23."
Proviso: "the award in the matter of international commercial arbitration may be made as expeditiously as possible and endeavor may be made to dispose of the matter within a period of twelve months from the date of completion of pleadings under sub-section (4) of section 23."
So the twelve months are a firm period for domestic arbitration and an endeavour for international commercial arbitration, as the proviso is worded.
On the 2019 substitution: the footnote says only that sub-section (1) was substituted "for sub-section (1)" by Act 33 of 2019, s. 6, with effect from 30-8-2019. The earlier wording is not reproduced in the footnote, so no comparison with it is made here. What the present text fixes is the starting point: the date of completion of pleadings under section 23(4). The phrase "enters upon the reference" survives in sub-section (2), below, and in section 29B(4), and section 29A as printed for the central text carries no Explanation of that phrase.
Sub-section (2): additional fees for a faster award
"If the award is made within a period of six months from the date the arbitral tribunal enters upon the reference, the arbitral tribunal shall be entitled to receive such amount of additional fees as the parties may agree." The amount is left to the parties. The text consulted gives no figure, and we give none. Note that this six-month period runs from the date the tribunal enters upon the reference, not from completion of pleadings.
Sub-section (3): extension by consent
"The parties may, by consent, extend the period specified in sub-section (1) for making award for a further period not exceeding six months." So the outer limit by consent is twelve plus six months. Put the consent in writing and sign it.
Sub-section (4): termination of mandate, and the three provisos
"If the award is not made within the period specified in sub-section (1) or the extended period specified under sub-section (3), the mandate of the arbitrator(s) shall terminate unless the Court has, either prior to or after the expiry of the period so specified, extended the period."
Three provisos follow:
- Fee reduction. While extending the period, if the Court finds that the proceedings have been delayed for reasons attributable to the arbitral tribunal, it may order reduction of fees of arbitrator(s) by not exceeding five per cent. for each month of such delay.
- Pending application. Where an application under sub-section (5) is pending, the mandate of the arbitrator continues until the application is disposed of (inserted with effect from 30-8-2019, as the footnote prints it).
- Hearing before fee reduction. The arbitrator shall be given an opportunity of being heard before the fees are reduced (same insertion).
Sub-section (5): the application for extension
"The extension of period referred to in sub-section (4) may be on the application of any of the parties and may be granted only for sufficient cause and on such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the Court." "Court" has the meaning in section 2(1)(e); see section 2. The text does not define "sufficient cause".
Sub-sections (6) and (7): substitution of arbitrators
- (6) While extending the period, it is open to the Court to substitute one or all of the arbitrators. If so, the proceedings continue from the stage already reached and on the basis of the evidence and material already on record, and the arbitrator(s) appointed shall be deemed to have received that evidence and material.
- (7) The reconstituted tribunal is deemed to be in continuation of the previously appointed tribunal.
Compare section 15(3) and (4), which deal with substitution in the ordinary case; see sections 14 and 15.
Sub-sections (8) and (9): costs and speed
- (8) It is open to the Court to impose actual or exemplary costs upon any of the parties under this section. Costs generally are in section 31A; see section 31A.
- (9) An application under sub-section (5) shall be disposed of as expeditiously as possible, with an endeavour to dispose of it within sixty days from the date of service of notice on the opposite party.
The timeline in a table
| Stage | Period as printed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pleadings complete | Within six months of notice of appointment | s.23(4) |
| Award, domestic | Twelve months from completion of pleadings | s.29A(1) |
| Extension by consent | Further period not exceeding six months | s.29A(3) |
| After that | Mandate terminates unless the Court has extended | s.29A(4) |
| Application for extension | Sufficient cause; Court's terms | s.29A(5) |
| Fee reduction on delay attributable to tribunal | Not exceeding five per cent. for each month | proviso to s.29A(4) |
| Disposal of application | Endeavour within sixty days of service of notice | s.29A(9) |
A worked example
Banerjee Cement and Sharma Builders complete pleadings on 1 March. The twelve months end on the last day of February of the next year. By consent in writing, the parties extend by four months, which is within the six-month cap in sub-section (3). Hearings drag on, and as the extended period nears its end, Banerjee applies to the Court under sub-section (5) for a further extension, giving reasons. While that application is pending, the arbitrator's mandate continues under the second proviso. If the Court finds the delay is attributable to the tribunal, it may reduce the fees by not more than five per cent. for each month of delay, after hearing the arbitrator.
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh
After section 29A the text prints one "STATE AMENDMENT" entry headed "Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh (UTs)". It cites the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Adaptation of Central Laws) Order, 2020 (notification No. S.O. 1123(E), dated 18-3-2020) and the Union Territory of Ladakh Reorganisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Order, 2020 (notification No. S.O. 3774(E), dated 23-10-2020). The entry substitutes sub-section (1) with a rule that "The award shall be made within a period of twelve months from the date the arbitral tribunal enters upon the reference", with an Explanation that the tribunal is deemed to have entered upon the reference on the date on which the arbitrator or all the arbitrators have received notice, in writing, of their appointment. It also omits the second and third provisos to sub-section (4). The entry applies only in those territories and is not the general rule.
Practical steps
- Diarise the date pleadings are completed, and the twelve-month date from it.
- Agree any extension by consent in writing before the period ends, and keep it within six months.
- If more time is needed, apply to the Court before or after expiry, showing sufficient cause.
- Raise delay attributable to the tribunal early; the Court may reduce fees.
- See also the short fast track option in section 29B.
Need help with a time limit under section 29A?
An award that misses the period can end the arbitrators' mandate. Our arbitration support team can help you track the deadline, document a consent extension and prepare an application for extension if one is needed.
Key takeaways
- Domestic awards are due within twelve months from completion of pleadings under section 23(4).
- The parties may extend by consent for a further period not exceeding six months.
- After that, the mandate terminates unless the Court has extended the period.
- The Court may extend only on an application and for sufficient cause, may substitute arbitrators, may reduce fees by up to five per cent. per month of delay attributable to the tribunal, and may impose costs.
- The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh entry differs from the central text and applies only there.
Read next
- Section 29B: fast track procedure
- Section 23: statements of claim and defence
- Sections 14 and 15: termination of mandate and substitution
- The 2015 and 2019 amendments to the Arbitration Act
Disclaimer: Based on the India Code consolidated text of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, whose footnotes show amendments up to Act 3 of 2021 and a latest date of 12 October 2023, as consulted on 2 October 2026. Rules, regulations and notifications under the Act, later amendments and the commencement of the Mediation Act, 2023 should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.