Absence of outer time limits for judicial extension of mandate under Section 29A

Section 29A(4) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, confers power on the court to extend the mandate of an arbitral tribunal either prior to or after the expiry of the stipulated period. The provision does not prescribe a rigid outer time limit for the court to exercise this discretionary extension power. Furthermore, there is no statutorily mandated outer limit on the duration of extension that a court may grant for concluding arbitral proceedings. However, courts must exercise this broad jurisdiction with circumspection, balancing the prompt disposal of arbitral disputes with the legitimate rights of all stakeholders. While an application under Section 29A(5) is pending, the mandate of the arbitrator automatically continues until final disposal under Section 29A(9). Courts are required to endeavour to dispose of such extension applications expeditiously, preferably within sixty days. (Jagdeep Chowgule v. Sheela Chowgule & Ors. | 2026 INSC 92)