Gurugram, September 27, 2026: The VIII GD Goenka–CIArb (India) International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition 2026 concluded at the School of Law, GD Goenka University, Sohna, Gurugram, with NMIMS, Chandigarh emerging as the winner and the Army Institute of Law, Mohali securing the runner-up position.
The three-day competition, held from September 25 to 27, 2026, provided participating law students with an opportunity to engage in simulated international commercial arbitration proceedings and demonstrate their legal research, written advocacy and oral argumentation skills.
The eighth edition focused on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations in international commercial arbitration, with the moot proposition exploring issues concerning ESG compliance, technology governance and international commercial arbitration.
NMIMS Chandigarh Emerges as Winner
The team representing NMIMS, Chandigarh was declared the winner of the VIII GD Goenka–CIArb (India) International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition 2026.
The winning team comprised:
- Nimisha Berry
- Vedansh Goyal
- Saloni Rana
The Army Institute of Law, Mohali finished as the runner-up. The team comprised:
- Sakshi
- Tanvi Bansal
- Ananya Shandil
The results marked the culmination of three days of competitive rounds in which participating teams presented arguments in a simulated international commercial arbitration setting.
Final Day: Semi-Finals and Final Round
The third and concluding day of the competition, September 27, 2026, featured the semi-final rounds, final round and valedictory ceremony.
The day’s proceedings began with the briefing of judges, followed by the semi-final rounds and feedback and discussion session from 9:45 AM to 11:10 AM. The judges for the semi-final rounds were subsequently felicitated.
Following the briefing for the finals, the final round was conducted from 12:15 PM to 1:45 PM at GRG, D Block. A felicitation ceremony for the final-round judges followed the conclusion of the round.
The final day brought together the competitive and academic aspects of the three-day moot, culminating in the declaration of the winning and runner-up teams.
Valedictory Ceremony and Result Declaration
The Valedictory Ceremony commenced at 3 PM on September 27. The programme included a Welcome Address, followed by a felicitation ceremony and Presidential Address.
The ceremony also featured addresses by the Guest of Honour and Chief Guest, followed by the presentation of the Event Report.
The results were declared between 3:50 PM and 4 PM, with NMIMS, Chandigarh taking the winning title and Army Institute of Law, Mohali being declared the runner-up. The ceremony concluded with a Vote of Thanks.
Legal Bites Supports the Competition
Legal Bites supported the VIII GD Goenka–CIArb (India) International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition 2026 as a Supporting Partner/Sponsor.
As part of its support for the competition, Legal Bites sponsored the event kits, fabric folders, pens, notepads and ID cards for the event, contributing to the organisational requirements of the three-day competition.
The association reflects Legal Bites’ continuing engagement with student-oriented academic initiatives and opportunities that encourage practical legal learning, advocacy and professional exposure.
Supporting Partners and Sponsors
Along with Legal Bites, the competition received support from prominent organisations from the arbitration and legal fraternity, including the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) – India, Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF), International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) / American Arbitration Association (AAA), and Arbivis Partners LLP.
Their association added to the professional and practice-oriented character of the competition, which brought students into an environment centred on contemporary international commercial arbitration.
About the Competition
The GD Goenka–CIArb (India) International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition entered its eighth edition in 2026. The competition seeks to simulate arbitral proceedings and provide law students with an opportunity to argue complex commercial disputes before experienced arbitrators, legal practitioners and academicians.
The 2026 edition centred on contemporary questions surrounding ESG compliance, technology governance and international commercial arbitration.
Participants had the opportunity to strengthen their skills in legal research, written advocacy, oral argumentation and arbitration. The competition also announced a prize pool exceeding ₹6,00,000.
About GD Goenka University and School of Law
Established in 2013, GD Goenka University is a multidisciplinary institution situated in the GD Goenka Education City on the Sohna–Gurugram corridor. The University is recognised by the University Grants Commission and has been accredited with an A+ Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council.
The School of Law, GD Goenka University, combines academic learning with practical legal training and offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes across different areas of law, including international commercial arbitration and investment arbitration.
With NMIMS, Chandigarh taking the winning title and Army Institute of Law, Mohali securing the runner-up position, the eighth edition concluded on September 27 following three days of competitive advocacy, arbitration-focused engagement and academic interaction.