The Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, seeks to replace the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 with provisions aligned with the Supreme Court directions in the Madras Bar Association judgment.
Key Details
| Feature | Provision in the 2026 Bill |
| National Tribunals Commission (NTC) |
|
| NTC Composition |
|
| Appointment and Tenure of NTC’s Chairperson and Members |
|
| Appointment and Tenure of Tribunal Members |
|
| National Tribunals Data Grid |
|
Significance of the Bill
- Judicial Independence: Aligns tribunal operations with Supreme Court directives regarding the separation of powers.
- Independent Oversight: Creates the NTC to autonomously manage administration and discipline across 16 different tribunals.
- Transparent Selections: Entrusts candidate assessment to a judicially-led Search-cum-Selection Committee, reducing political bias.
- Timely Appointments: Mandates the central government to finalize tribunal appointments within three months of receiving recommendations.
- Digital Accountability: Implements the National Tribunals Data Grid for centralized tracking of case information and institutional performance.