Sections 32 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.
These three sections cover what happens once the award stage is reached. Section 32 says how the arbitral proceedings end and when the tribunal's mandate ends. Section 33 allows a short, time-limited request to correct errors, interpret a point or add an omitted claim. Section 35 says the award is final and binding, subject to Part I.
Proceedings end with the final award or by a termination order where the claimant withdraws, the parties agree, or continuation becomes unnecessary or impossible. The mandate ends with the proceedings, subject to section 33 and section 34(4). Under section 33, within thirty days from receipt of the award (unless another period is agreed) a party may ask the tribunal to correct computation, clerical, typographical or similar errors, or, if the parties so agreed, to interpret a point; a party may also ask, within thirty days from receipt, for an additional award on claims omitted, which the tribunal makes within sixty days of the request. Under section 35, the award is final and binding, subject to Part I. This is as per the India Code consolidated text consulted.
How these sections fit together
An award is not always the end of the tribunal's work: section 33 allows a short window for a correction, an interpretation or an additional award. The window also matters for a challenge, since section 34 sets its own period; see our post on section 34. Section 36 deals with enforcement; see section 36. The form of the award is in section 31; see section 31.
In the India Code consolidated text, sections 32 and 33 close Chapter VI of Part I, "Making of arbitral award and termination of proceedings", and section 35 opens Chapter VIII, "Finality and enforcement of arbitral awards"; section 34 stands between them as Chapter VII. There is no footnote of amendment on sections 32, 33 or 35. Section 33(1)(a) speaks of "any computation errors, any clerical or typographical errors or any other errors of a similar nature occurring in the award", and sub-section (4) of an additional award "as to claims presented in the arbitral proceedings but omitted from the arbitral award". If you are holding an award and have a point to raise, arbitration support can help you decide between a correction request and a section 34 application, and diarise the dates.
Section 32: termination of proceedings
Sub-section (1)
"The arbitral proceedings shall be terminated by the final arbitral award or by an order of the arbitral tribunal under sub-section (2)."
Sub-section (2): when the tribunal issues a termination order
The tribunal "shall issue an order for the termination of the arbitral proceedings" where:
| Clause | Ground |
|---|---|
| (a) | The claimant withdraws his claim, unless the respondent objects to the order and the tribunal recognises a legitimate interest on his part in obtaining a final settlement of the dispute |
| (b) | The parties agree on the termination of the proceedings |
| (c) | The tribunal finds that the continuation of the proceedings has for any other reason become unnecessary or impossible |
A settlement is dealt with in section 30, which separately directs the tribunal to terminate the proceedings on settlement; see section 30. Clause (a) protects a respondent who wants a final answer rather than a withdrawal that leaves the dispute open.
Sub-section (3): the mandate ends
"Subject to section 33 and sub-section (4) of section 34, the mandate of the arbitral tribunal shall terminate with the termination of the arbitral proceedings." So the tribunal does not simply vanish at the final award: section 33 requests may still be made to it, and section 34(4) is also preserved. We do not describe section 34(4) here; our post on section 34 covers section 34.
Section 33: correction, interpretation and additional award
Sub-section (1): thirty days from receipt
"Within thirty days from the receipt of the arbitral award, unless another period of time has been agreed upon by the parties":
- (a) a party, with notice to the other party, may ask the tribunal to correct any computation errors, any clerical or typographical errors or any other errors of a similar nature occurring in the award;
- (b) if so agreed by the parties, a party, with notice to the other party, may ask the tribunal to give an interpretation of a specific point or part of the award.
Interpretation needs the parties' agreement. Correction does not. The period runs from receipt of the award, which is why delivery under section 31(5) and receipt under section 3 matter; see sections 3 and 4.
Sub-section (2): the tribunal's response
If the tribunal considers the request justified, it "shall make the correction or give the interpretation within thirty days from the receipt of the request and the interpretation shall form part of the arbitral award."
Sub-section (3): on its own initiative
The tribunal may correct an error of the type in clause (a) of sub-section (1) "on its own initiative, within thirty days from the date of the arbitral award". Note the difference in the starting point: date of the award here, receipt in sub-section (1).
Sub-section (4): additional award
"Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a party with notice to the other party, may request, within thirty days from the receipt of the arbitral award, the arbitral tribunal to make an additional arbitral award as to claims presented in the arbitral proceedings but omitted from the arbitral award."
Sub-section (5): sixty days
If the tribunal considers the request justified, it "shall make the additional arbitral award within sixty days from the receipt of such request."
Sub-section (6): extension
The tribunal "may extend, if necessary, the period of time within which it shall make a correction, give an interpretation or make an additional arbitral award under sub-section (2) or sub-section (5)." The extension is of the tribunal's own period for acting, not of the thirty days for a party to make the request.
Sub-section (7): section 31 applies
"Section 31 shall apply to a correction or interpretation of the arbitral award or to an additional arbitral award made under this section." So a correction, an interpretation or an additional award must meet section 31 on writing, signature, reasons, date and place and delivery.
The periods in one table
| What | Who acts | Period as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Request to correct errors | Party, with notice to the other | Within thirty days from receipt of the award, unless another period is agreed |
| Request for interpretation | Party, with notice, if the parties so agreed | Within thirty days from receipt, unless another period is agreed |
| Tribunal's correction or interpretation | Tribunal | Within thirty days from receipt of the request |
| Tribunal's own correction | Tribunal | Within thirty days from the date of the award |
| Request for additional award | Party, with notice, unless otherwise agreed | Within thirty days from receipt of the award |
| Tribunal's additional award | Tribunal | Within sixty days from receipt of the request |
| Extension of the tribunal's own periods | Tribunal | If necessary (sub-section (6)) |
Section 35: finality
"Subject to this Part an arbitral award shall be final and binding on the parties and persons claiming under them respectively." The words "subject to this Part" matter. The award is final and binding, but recourse under section 34 and enforcement under section 36 are part of the same scheme. Our post on section 34 explains the challenge route. "Persons claiming under them" extends the binding effect beyond the named parties.
A worked example
Chauhan Steel receives an arbitral award on 10 April. The award adds the invoice figures wrongly, so the total awarded is lower than the sum of the items. On 20 April, Chauhan writes to the tribunal and to the other side, asking for correction of the computation error under section 33(1)(a). That is within thirty days from receipt. The tribunal considers the request justified and makes the correction within thirty days of receiving it, and the correction is issued as a section 31-compliant document. Separately, the award omitted a claim for storage charges that Chauhan had pleaded. Within the same thirty days, Chauhan also asks for an additional award under sub-section (4), and the tribunal has sixty days from receiving that request to make it. The corrected award and any additional award then form part of the final and binding position under section 35.
Practical steps
- Note the date of receipt of the award and diarise thirty days from it.
- Send any section 33 request with notice to the other party, and keep proof.
- If you want interpretation, check that the parties have agreed to it; without agreement, sub-section (1)(b) does not apply.
- Request an additional award only for claims presented in the proceedings but omitted.
- Decide early whether the issue is a correction, which section 33 handles, or a ground of challenge under section 34.
- Keep the final award, corrections and any additional award together for enforcement.
Need help with a correction request or an award you wish to question?
A short deadline and a choice between correction and challenge make the first weeks after an award important. Our arbitration support team can review the award, draft the section 33 request and plan the next step with you.
Key takeaways
- Proceedings end with the final award or a termination order under section 32(2); the mandate ends with them, subject to section 33 and section 34(4).
- Under section 33, correction and additional-award requests are made within thirty days from receipt of the award, with notice to the other party; interpretation needs the parties' agreement.
- The tribunal corrects or interprets within thirty days of the request and makes an additional award within sixty days of the request.
- The tribunal may also correct on its own initiative within thirty days from the date of the award.
- Under section 35, the award is final and binding, subject to Part I.
Read next
- Section 34: challenge to an arbitral award
- Section 31: form and contents of the award, and interest
- Section 36: enforcement of the award and stay
- Section 30: settlement and award on agreed terms
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.