Step 1: Legislative intent.
The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 was enacted to modernize arbitration law and align it with UNCITRAL principles.
Step 2: Case ruling.
In \textit{Olympus Superstructures Pvt. Ltd. v. Meera Vijay}, the Supreme Court clarified that the 1996 Act must be interpreted independently, without being influenced by the repealed 1940 Act.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Therefore, option (c) is correct.