Statutory definition of commencement of arbitral proceedings under Section 21

Under Section 21 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, the commencement of arbitral proceedings is a specific statutory event that occurs strictly on the date on which a request or notice for the dispute to be referred to arbitration is received by the respondent, unless the parties have expressly agreed otherwise. This provision establishes a clear, objective rule governing when arbitration legally begins. Judicial applications filed in court, such as petitions under Section 9 for interim measures or petitions under Section 11 for the appointment of an arbitrator, do not constitute the legal commencement of arbitral proceedings under the statutory scheme. (Regenta Hotels Private Limited v. M/s Hotel Grand Centre Point | 2026 INSC 32)