Sixth Schedule 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.
The Sixth Schedule prints a short form with six heads. Explanation 2 to section 12(1) says a person approached about a possible appointment shall make the written disclosure "in the form specified in the Sixth Schedule". This follows the India Code consolidated text consulted, and the form is described head by head with its printing slips noted.
The form has six heads: name; contact details; prior experience (including experience with arbitrations); number of ongoing arbitrations; circumstances disclosing any past or present relationship with or interest in the parties or the subject-matter that is likely to give rise to justifiable doubts as to independence or impartiality; and circumstances likely to affect the ability to devote sufficient time, in particular to finish the entire arbitration within twelve months. The last two heads say "(LIST OUT)". The heading is printed "". Section 11(8) requires the appointing Court or designate to seek a disclosure in writing in terms of section 12(1) before appointing.
Where the form comes from
Section 12(1) requires a person approached in connection with a possible appointment as arbitrator to disclose in writing any circumstances (a) such as past or present relationship with or interest in the parties or the subject-matter, financial, business, professional or other, which is likely to give rise to justifiable doubts as to independence or impartiality, and (b) which are likely to affect the ability to devote sufficient time and in particular to complete the entire arbitration within a period of twelve months. Explanation 1 points to the Fifth Schedule for guidance on doubts; Explanation 2 says "The disclosure shall be made by such person in the form specified in the Sixth Schedule." See our article on section 12.
Section 12(2) adds that an arbitrator, from the time of appointment and throughout the arbitral proceedings, shall, without delay, disclose to the parties in writing any circumstances referred to in sub-section (1) unless they have already been informed of them.
The footnotes show the Fourth to Seventh Schedules as inserted by Act 3 of 2016, s. 25 (w.e.f. 23-10-2015), and section 12(1) as substituted by Act 3 of 2016, s. 8 (w.e.f. 23-10-2015). If you are preparing or checking a disclosure, our arbitration support team can help.
Section 11(8): disclosure before appointment
As the India Code text prints section 11(8): the Supreme Court or, as the case may be, the High Court or the person or institution designated by such Court, before appointing an arbitrator, shall seek a disclosure in writing from the prospective arbitrator in terms of sub-section (1) of section 12, and have due regard to (a) any qualifications required for the arbitrator by the agreement of the parties; and (b) the contents of the disclosure and other considerations as are likely to secure the appointment of an independent and impartial arbitrator. The footnote shows the sub-section as substituted by Act 3 of 2016, s. 6. Our post on appointment of arbitrator under section 11 covers section 11, and nothing is repeated here beyond sub-section (8).
The form, head by head
| Head | Text as printed | Linked to |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NAME: | Identification |
| 2 | CONTACT DETAILS: | Identification |
| 3 | PRIOR EXPERIENCE (INCLUDING EXPERIENCE WITH ARBITRATIONS): | Not named in section 12(1) |
| 4 | NUMBER OF ONGOING ARBITRATIONS: | Related to section 12(1)(b) on time |
| 5 | CIRCUMSTANCES DISCLOSING ANY PAST OR PRESENT RELATIONSHIP WITH OR INTEREST IN ANY OF THE PARTIES OR IN RELATION TO THE SUBJECT-MATTER IN DISPUTE, WHETHER FINANCIAL, BUSINESS, PROFESSIONAL OR OTHER KIND, WHICH IS LIKELY TO GIVE RISE TO JUSTIFIABLE DOUBTS AS TO YOUR INDEPENDENCE OR IMPARTIALITY (LIST OUT): | Section 12(1)(a) |
| 6 | CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH ARE LIKELY TO AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO DEVOTE SUFFICIENT TIME TO THE ARBITRATION AND IN PARTICULAR YOUR ABILITY TO FINISH THE ENTIRE ARBITRATION WITHIN TWELVE MONTHS (LIST OUT): | Section 12(1)(b) |
The column "Linked to" is our reading: the form itself names no section. Heads 3 and 4 do not appear in the words of section 12(1); the form asks for them.
Printing slips in the text consulted
- Head 5 is printed with joined words: "ORINTEREST" (for "OR INTEREST"), "INDISPUTE" (for "IN DISPUTE") and "YOURINDEPENDENCE" (for "YOUR INDEPENDENCE"). We quote them as printed.
- The heading reads "", the same as the Fifth Schedule, although Explanation 2 to section 12(1) is the sub-provision that names the Sixth Schedule.
- The form says "FINISH THE ENTIRE ARBITRATION WITHIN TWELVE MONTHS", while section 12(1)(b) says "complete the entire arbitration within a period of twelve months". The period is the same; the verb differs.
Reading the form
- The form is a list of heads, not a questionnaire with boxes. It prints no signature block, date line or declaration. The text consulted prints none, and none is invented here.
- Two heads ask for a list. Heads 5 and 6 end "(LIST OUT)".
- Head 4 asks for a number. It asks for the number of ongoing arbitrations, with no definition of "ongoing".
- Head 5 repeats the wording of section 12(1)(a) and head 6 that of section 12(1)(b).
How the form works with the Fifth and Seventh Schedules
| Document | Role |
|---|---|
| Fifth Schedule | Grounds that give rise to justifiable doubts; Explanation 1 to section 12(1) says they shall guide |
| Sixth Schedule | Form in which the disclosure is made (Explanation 2 to section 12(1)) |
| Seventh Schedule | Categories that make a person ineligible under section 12(5), unless waived under its proviso |
See our articles on the Fifth Schedule and the Seventh Schedule.
An illustration
Dr. Meera Kulkarni is approached to act as sole arbitrator in a supply dispute between Aster Polymers Ltd and Jindal Pack Pvt Ltd. Her disclosure follows the six heads. Under head 4 she states the number of ongoing arbitrations. Under head 5 she lists that her law firm advised an affiliate of Aster Polymers some years ago, setting out the circumstances (the Fifth Schedule lists related grounds for the parties to consider). Under head 6 she explains that she is committed to hearings that may affect her ability to finish within twelve months. The parties then have written facts on which to decide whether to proceed or to raise a challenge under section 12(3). The names and facts are invented.
Need help with disclosures?
A complete disclosure at the outset gives both sides a fair basis to proceed. Our arbitration support team can prepare a disclosure in the form of the Schedule, or review one you have received, against section 12 and the Fifth Schedule.
Key takeaways
- The Sixth Schedule prints the form for the written disclosure required by section 12(1).
- It has six heads: name, contact details, prior experience, number of ongoing arbitrations, relationships or interests, and ability to devote time and finish within twelve months.
- Section 11(8) requires the appointing Court or designate to seek a written disclosure in terms of section 12(1) before appointing.
- Section 12(2) continues the duty to disclose throughout the proceedings.
- The text prints joined words ("ORINTEREST", "INDISPUTE", "YOURINDEPENDENCE") and a heading "", as shown.
Read next
- Section 12: grounds for challenge and disclosure by arbitrator
- Fifth Schedule: grounds for justifiable doubts about arbitrator independence
- Seventh Schedule: relationships that make a person ineligible as arbitrator
- Appointment of arbitrator under section 11
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.