Tribunals – Centre Proposes New Commission to Oversee 16 Key Bodies

Tribunals – The Centre is preparing a new framework to strengthen the administration, accountability and functioning of tribunals across the country.

The government is set to introduce the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha, proposing the creation of a National Tribunals Commission (NTC). The proposed body will be responsible for overseeing appointments, assessing the performance of tribunals and handling complaints concerning their chairpersons and members.

The proposed legislation covers 16 tribunals and appellate bodies operating in different areas of law and public administration. The government says the move is intended to bring greater efficiency, independence, transparency and consistency to the tribunal system.

Tribunals proposed to come under the framework

Among the bodies covered by the proposed legislation are the Central Administrative Tribunal, National Green Tribunal, Armed Forces Tribunal and Securities Appellate Tribunal.

The list also includes Debts Recovery Tribunals, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal and the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal, along with other tribunals and appellate authorities. The government has also retained the flexibility to modify the list in the future.

Under the Bill, the Centre would be able to add, remove or alter the tribunals covered by the legislation through a notification published in the Gazette. Such a notification would subsequently have to be placed before Parliament.

Five-member commission proposed

The National Tribunals Commission is proposed to have five members, including a chairperson, two judicial members and two technical members.

The chairperson would serve for five years or until reaching the age of 70, whichever comes earlier. The position would be open to a person who has served as a Supreme Court judge or as the Chief Justice of a High Court.

Although the appointments would be made by the Centre, the Bill provides for consultation with the Chief Justice of India in the process of selecting the chairperson and other members of the commission.

Selection and complaints to come under NTC

A key responsibility of the proposed commission would be to manage the selection process for tribunal members through Search-cum-Selection Committees.

The NTC would also periodically assess how tribunals are functioning and supervise inquiries into complaints made against their chairpersons and members. The proposed arrangement is intended to create a more uniform system for dealing with appointments, performance reviews and disciplinary matters.

The Bill further provides the Centre with powers to remove a chairperson or member on specified grounds, subject to the provisions laid down in the proposed law.

National data system planned

The proposed commission would also maintain a National Tribunals Data Grid. The system is expected to contain information relating to cases handled by tribunals and could provide a consolidated view of their functioning.

The proposed data mechanism forms part of the government’s broader effort to bring greater consistency and transparency to the tribunal system and make information on tribunal proceedings more systematically available.

Bill follows Supreme Court directions

The proposed legislation draws on the Supreme Court’s judgment in Madras Bar Association vs Union of India. In that case, the court struck down certain provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 and directed the establishment of a National Tribunals Commission.

The Statement of Objects and Reasons accompanying the Bill cites the judgment as an important basis for the proposed changes. The new framework seeks to address issues surrounding the administration and independence of tribunals through a centralised oversight mechanism.

Annual cost estimated at Rs 27.14 crore

According to the Bill, the proposed commission and its secretariat are expected to require an annual expenditure of Rs 27.14 crore.

The legislation, once introduced in the Lok Sabha, will provide the basis for Parliament to consider the proposed changes to the country’s tribunal structure and oversight system.