Arbitrator Qualifying Assessment Program (AQAP)
Why in News?
The Arbitrator Qualifying Assessment Program (AQAP) is recently in the news because the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) successfully concluded its first-ever in-person assessment cycle from April 24 to 26, 2026.
About
- The program is a major step toward standardising arbitration in India and making the country a global arbitration hub, aligned with the government's vision of Viksit Bharat.
- Supreme Court Involvement: The assessment was presided over by Justice (Retd.) Hemant Gupta, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, highlighting the high-level judicial backing of the initiative.
- Shift to Professionalism: The news highlights a strategic push to move Indian arbitration from an "ad hoc" system to a market-based, efficiency-driven profession to attract foreign investment.
- Global Benchmarking: It is being hailed as a "first-of-its-kind" initiative to create a pool of globally benchmarked arbitrators within India.
Purpose and Objective
- Creating Experts: Aims to create a professional cadre of "world-class" arbitrators to handle complex commercial disputes.
- Economic Impact: Focused on building a fast, cost-effective dispute resolution system to support India’s goal of becoming a multi-trillion-dollar economy.
- Reducing Backlog: Intended to alleviate the pressure on Indian courts by promoting institutional arbitration.
Program Structure
- 3-Tier Assessment: The certification involves a rigorous, three-level evaluation of a candidate's theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
- 3-Day Intensive: The final qualifying stage is conducted as a 3-day in-person rigorous assessment.
- Eligibility Path: Participants typically come from the IICA Certified Arbitration Professional (ICAP) program (a 9-month, 250+ hour course) before qualifying for the AQAP fast-track route.
Key Stakeholders
- IICA: An autonomous institute under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India.
- CEADR: The specialized wing within IICA that manages ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) initiatives.
- Expert Panel: Assessments are conducted by independent experts and retired senior judiciary members to ensure impartiality and high standards.
Professional Standards
- Skills Tested: Candidates are evaluated on their ability to conduct hearings, manage procedural complexities, and draft arbitral awards.
- Ethics: There is a heavy emphasis on a "mindset shift" toward professional accountability and ethical transparency.
Broader Context
- Institutional Arbitration: This program supports the India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC) and other bodies by providing a verified panel of qualified neutrals.
- International Standing: By adopting these qualifying assessments, India is aligning its legal infrastructure with international standards like those of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).
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