1. You have to file a fresh MCD petition,
2. Yes, you can file the MCD and withdraw the contested divorce at a later stage,
3. Yes Possible
don't forget to draft an MOU before approaching Mutual Divorce, which is the most essential and important part of a Divorce case,

some basic points to keep in mind and put in writing through an MOU before filing the petition for mutual consent divorce are custody of kids, distribution of assets (movable/immovable), quash/withdraw of pending litigation if any, Maintenance (present/future), Alimony, mode and time of making the payment, streedhan, future litigation, etc.

you can make application for converting existing divorce petition into divorce by mutual consent 

2) you cannot  file MCD during pendency of  contested divorce petition 

3) you can apply to court to waive cooling period 

You can file a compromise deed for further filing MCD petition. But after that neither party would be entitled for filing contested petition afresh in future. So before going ahead think whether mutual consent would be easy to achieve with reference to terms and conditions of both the parties.

See if you are going for.mutual than co tested divorce has to be withdrawn or converted into mutual consent divorce.you can file fresh MCD along with an application to waive off the period.

1. Without withdrawing the existing contesting divorce suit you can not file a petition for mutual divorce petition.

2. However after filing the MCD petition soon thereafter you can withdraw the contested divorce suit.

3. Waiving off the six months cooling off period depends on the direction of the court and the parties have no vested right on this.

No...you can only convert the contested into mutual.  You can file the plea to waive

Upon informing the judge, the judge has the powers to turn it into mutual divorce and you do not need to file separately.

In Rajiv R. Hiremath v. Uma, (2000) 10 SCC 303; the supreme court of India opines that if both the parties have agreed to get a decree of divorce by mutual consent, they can do so by preparing an agreement of compromise and place it before the court.

Respected sir... 

First you have to withdraw the first petition and then file the  second I know you are thinking about the security but while withdraw the first Petition just statement of both party to be recorded in front of judge saying that we will file a fresh petition under section 13-B of HMA that will work for you and wave of 6 months period is totally in the hands of judge but if your advocate give strong valid reason then it will surely be waved off.... 

Thank you

You can file fresh joint petition for divorce with mutual consent without withdrawing pending petition. After making first motion statement you can withdraw the contested divorce petition. .

This case can be converted to a mutual consent divorce and after you tell the facts in detail I can advise you that whether the 6 month period can be waived off or not.

regards

MCD will file after withdrawal of divorce.

Dear Sir,

You mean conversion of contested divorce petition to mutual consent divorce petition?

A Divorce can't be converted.     Nor will there be any use.      So also the Petition.

Yes it is possible to file a MCD even during the pendency of a contested divorce case, the same can be withdrawn after the first motion of MCD.

The 6 months cooling period also can be waived.

1. As per the information mentioned in the present query, makes it clear that there has been contesting divorce petition and now wish to file for MD.
2. Yes, you can do it and in fact should do it before filing of MD after getting it in the withdrawal order that both parties would go for MD.
3. In this way, neither of the party can step back later in future form MD.
4. Yes, you can move an aviation it waiving off the second motion before the court of law.

Dear

You can go for conversion of contested divorce to MCD by giving a common statement at next hearing of the case. In that case the you will get less cool off period for second motion. 

Other option that is also available to is filing a new petition for MCD and file an application for wave off for cooling period then it depends on the discretion of court that it waveoff the cooling period or not.