National Tribunals Commission to oversee appointments, performance and
functioning of major tribunals
New Delhi, 10 August 2026: The Lok Sabha has passed the
Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, proposing a comprehensive framework to strengthen
the independence, transparency, efficiency and uniformity of tribunals across
India. The Bill seeks to replace the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 and establish
an independent National Tribunals Commission for supervising the appointment
and functioning of various tribunals.
The legislation has been introduced
following the Supreme Court’s decision in Madras Bar Association v. Union of
India, (2026) 2 SCC 1, which struck down certain provisions of the 2021 Act for
being inconsistent with the principles of separation of powers and judicial
independence. The Court had also directed the establishment of an independent
and professionally competent National Tribunals Commission.
National Tribunals Commission
The proposed Commission will have
its headquarters in New Delhi and will consist of:
-- A
Chairperson who has been a Judge of the Supreme Court or Chief Justice of a
High Court;
-- Two
Judicial Members; and
-- Two
Technical Members having at least 25 years’ experience in specified
professional fields.
The Chairperson and Judicial
Members will be appointed by the Central Government after consultation with the
Chief Justice of India. They will
hold office for five years or until attaining the age of 70 years, whichever is
earlier.
Major responsibilities
The Commission will:
-- Conduct the selection
process for Tribunal Chairpersons and Members;
-- Review the performance of
tribunals;
-- Oversee inquiries into
complaints against Tribunal Chairpersons and Members;
-- Submit an annual
performance report to the Central Government; and
-- Develop and maintain a
National Tribunals Data Grid containing case-related information of tribunals.
Uniform selection and tenure
Separate Search-cum-Selection
Committees will recommend candidates for appointment. The Central Government
will be required to process recommendations and make appointments within three
months.
A Tribunal Chairperson will hold
office for five years or until the age of 70 years, while a Member will hold
office for five years or until the age of 67 years, whichever is earlier. Both
will remain eligible for reappointment.
The Bill also provides a structured
mechanism for investigating complaints and removing Tribunal Chairpersons or
Members on grounds including insolvency, conviction involving moral turpitude,
incapacity, conflict of interest, abuse of position, incompetence, inefficiency
or undertaking paid assignments during their tenure.
Sixteen tribunals covered
The reform framework applies to 16
major tribunals and authorities, including the Central and State Administrative
Tribunals, Income-tax Appellate Tribunal, National Green Tribunal, Armed Forces
Tribunal, National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, Debts Recovery Tribunals,
Securities Appellate Tribunal, Railway Claims Tribunal, Telecom Disputes
Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, National Consumer Disputes Redressal
Commission and Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal.
Financial implications
The establishment and operation of
the Commission and its Secretariat is estimated to involve an expenditure of
approximately ?27.14 crore per annum, comprising recurring expenditure of
?24.79 crore and non-recurring expenditure of ?2.35 crore.
Significance
The Bill marks a major
restructuring of India’s tribunal administration. By centralising appointments,
performance review, complaint inquiries and tribunal data management under a
dedicated Commission, it aims to reduce vacancies, improve institutional
accountability and reinforce the independence and effectiveness of the tribunal
system. The legislation will come into force on dates to be notified by the
Central Government after completing the parliamentary and constitutional process.
National Tribunals Commission to oversee appointments, performance and
functioning of major tribunals