CS Professional · June 2026 · Paper 7.1
CS Professional Arbitration, Mediation and Conciliation June 2026: paper analysis
Our own analysis of the official paper, as of 12 October 2026. The questions and answers belong to ICSI; read them on ICSI's website.
Chapter-wise marks
Where the marks were in this paper (out of 100; internal-choice alternatives not double counted).
What each question tested
In our words, by question number. Open the official paper for the full question.
| Q | Marks | Tests | Chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(a) | 5 | Validity of an arbitration clause added through a separate signed letter: written form, signatory authority and incorporation by reference | Arbitration: Introduction, Agreements and its Institutions |
| 1(b)(i) | 2 | Whether Indian courts can appoint an arbitrator under section 11 when the seat is abroad | Conceptual Framework of International Commercial Arbitration |
| 1(b)(ii) | 3 | Limits on Indian court jurisdiction in foreign-seated arbitrations under Part I and Part II | Conceptual Framework of International Commercial Arbitration |
| 1(c) | 5 | Availability of section 9 interim relief from Indian courts in a foreign-seated arbitration to protect funds | Conceptual Framework of International Commercial Arbitration |
| 1(d) | 5 | Whether counter-claims fall within the scope of the arbitration agreement | Arbitral Proceedings, Pleadings and Evidence |
| 1(e) | 5 | Eligibility, procedure, features and limits of fast track arbitration under section 29B | Emerging Aspects: Fast Track and Virtual Arbitration |
| 2(a) | 5 | Binding arbitration agreement in an unsigned contract for a foreign-seated arbitration under section 45 | International Law of Arbitration |
| 2(b) | 5 | Effect of unexplained delay in pronouncing an award and setting aside an unworkable award | Challenge to Award and Appeals |
| 2(c) | 5 | Drafting the operative part of an arbitral award directing payment with interest and costs | Preparation and Execution of Arbitral Award |
| 3(a) | 5 | Power of a tribunal to award interest where the contract restricts interest, based on case law | Preparation and Execution of Arbitral Award |
| 3(b) | 5 | Limitation for a section 11(6) application to appoint an arbitrator and ex facie time-barred claims | Arbitration Procedure, Appointment of an Arbitrator and Other Aspects |
| 3(c) | 5 | Power of an arbitral tribunal to grant pendente lite interest | Preparation and Execution of Arbitral Award |
| 4(a) | 5 | Empanelment norms for conciliators and arbitrators with online dispute resolution institutions in the securities market | Arbitration under Investors' Grievances Redressal Mechanism of Stock Exchanges |
| 4(b) | 5 | Default procedure under section 11 for appointment of sole and three-member tribunals | Arbitration Procedure, Appointment of an Arbitrator and Other Aspects |
| 4(c) | 5 | Binding status and enforceability of a conciliation settlement agreement | Conciliation Proceedings and International Perspective of Conciliation |
| 4A(i) | 5 | Competence of an arbitral tribunal to rule on its own jurisdiction under section 16 | Arbitral Proceedings, Pleadings and Evidence |
| 4A(ii) | 5 | Recent amendments to the arbitration law affecting clause drafting, enforcement and procedural efficiency | Arbitration: Introduction, Agreements and its Institutions |
| 4A(iii) | 5 | Arbitrability of online trading disputes and enforceability of arbitration clauses in electronic agreements | Arbitration under Investors' Grievances Redressal Mechanism of Stock Exchanges |
| 5(a) | 5 | Applying the iceberg model of human behaviour to conflict resolution | Negotiation Skills and Communication |
| 5(b)(i) | 2 | Confidentiality of statements made in mediation and their use as evidence in later litigation | Mediation: An Introduction and its Process along with Rules |
| 5(b)(ii) | 3 | Stagewise checklist for an effective mediation process | Mediation: An Introduction and its Process along with Rules |
| 5(c) | 5 | Matching dispute scenarios to suitable mediation modes such as online, co-mediation, court-referred, community and institutional | Various Modes and Scope of Mediation including Role of Mediation in other ADR Domains |
| 6(a) | 5 | Role of mediation in international diplomacy and handling trust and confidentiality breakdowns | International and Emerging Aspects under Mediation Law |
| 6(b) | 5 | Powers of the Mediation Council of India to acquire property and set up offices | International and Emerging Aspects under Mediation Law |
| 6(c) | 5 | Audit of the Mediation Council of India under the Mediation Act | International and Emerging Aspects under Mediation Law |
| 6A(i) | 5 | Eligibility to be empanelled as mediator or conciliator under the company law mediation rules | Various Modes and Scope of Mediation including Role of Mediation in other ADR Domains |
| 6A(ii) | 5 | Diagnosing hidden causes of workplace team conflict and sustainable resolution measures | Negotiation Skills and Communication |
| 6A(iii) | 5 | Reflective practice for mediators at different experience levels | Negotiation Skills and Communication |
What stood out
- This was an open book paper, so almost every question was a fact-based problem requiring application of provisions and case law rather than recall.
- Part I (arbitration and conciliation) carried 70 marks; the 25 mark opening case on a cross-border contract alone covered validity, seat, interim relief, counter-claims and fast track arbitration.
- Foreign-seated arbitration issues (court jurisdiction, section 9 relief, section 45 referral) recurred across Q1 and Q2, making international arbitration the most tested theme.
- Mediation (Part II, 30 marks) mixed the Mediation Act institutional provisions with soft-skill topics such as the iceberg model and reflective practice.
- Interest in awards appeared twice (Q3(a) and Q3(c)), along with a drafting task for the operative part of an award.
Practise the chapters that carried the marks
Preparation and Execution of Arbitral Award, Negotiation Skills and Communication, International and Emerging Aspects under Mediation Law: study guides and practice questions in the CS Professional format.