The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 without any debate amid heavy protests by Opposition MPs over various issues.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who introduced the Bill, said that there was no change in the jurisdiction of any tribunal as provided under the respective parent Acts. He said the Bill was aimed at strengthening appointments, tribunal independence and transparency.
The House was subsequently adjourned till 11 AM on Tuesday.
The Bill proposes to establish a National Tribunals Commission to oversee the appointment, administration and functioning of tribunals. The Commission will have a Chairperson, two Judicial Members and two Technical Members.
The NTC will conduct the selection process for Chairpersons and Members of tribunals, review their performance, oversee inquiries into complaints against them and maintain a National Tribunals Data Grid containing case-related information.
The Bill covers 16 tribunals and authorities, including the Central and State Administrative Tribunals, Securities Appellate Tribunal, Debts Recovery Tribunal, Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, Armed Forces Tribunal, National Green Tribunal, National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and Income-tax Appellate Tribunal.
It proposes to repeal the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 - which was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2025- and amend the laws governing the tribunals covered by the legislation. The Bill also contains saving provisions to protect existing appointments and selection processes initiated under the 2021 Act before the establishment of the NTC.
The Bill estimates recurring expenditure of Rs 24.79 crore and non-recurring expenditure of Rs 2.35 crore, totalling Rs 27.14 crore. It expects recurring expenditure to increase by 10% in each of the second and third years over the previous year.
The Bill's Statement of Objects and Reasons refers to the Supreme Court's judgment in Madras Bar Association v. Union of India, which struck down the 2021 Act on grounds including separation of powers and judicial independence. It states that the National Tribunals Commission is proposed in accordance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court.