Overview

• At the National Mediation Conference, President Droupadi Murmu called for legally empowering Panchayats under the Mediation Act, 2023 to resolve disputes at the village level and foster social harmony.
• Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna highlighted mediation as a 'wiser form' of justice, capable of addressing root causes, healing relationships, and reducing court burdens.
• The Mediation Association of India was launched as a precursor to the proposed Mediation Council of India, which will regulate and professionalize mediation practices.
• Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal noted the growing adoption of mediation clauses by startups and small businesses, aligning with the ethos of 'more mediate, less litigate.'
• Between 2016 and early 2025, over 757,000 cases were resolved through mediation, yet rural areas remain underserved by this mechanism.