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The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the continuation of three members of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) whose tenure was due to expire today, allowing them to remain in office as an interim measure until fresh appointments are made.

The direction was issued by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana after the Court was informed by the NGT Bar Association that the functioning of the NGT could otherwise be affected by the expiry of the members' tenure.

The three members comprise two judicial members and one expert member.

The Court noted that the members may otherwise be barred from a further extension because of the applicable age restrictions. However, considering the need to ensure that the NGT's day-to-day functioning is not disrupted, it directed that the three members should continue until their replacements are appointed.

The order came after the Attorney General for India R Venkataramani informed the Court about the effect of the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2026, particularly Section 24(1)(d).

According to the Attorney General, 248 members of various tribunals have been found eligible for extension under the new law, including members whose tenure had already been extended up to Tuesday.

The extension, the court was informed, would operate automatically, subject to two conditions: completion of a maximum five-year term or attainment of the prescribed age limit of 67 years for some members and 70 years for others, as applicable.

Taking note of the submission, the Supreme Court directed the Union government to issue a formal order granting the extensions subject to these conditions.

With regard specifically to the three NGT members whose tenure was ending today, the court recorded the Attorney General's assurance that the selection process for fresh appointments would be completed shortly.

"To ensure that day-to-day functioning of NGT is not hampered," the bench directed that the three members continue as an interim measure until fresh appointments are made in their place.

The Supreme Court also indicated that the same approach should apply to other tribunals where appointments are required to be made by the Central government.

The Union government has accordingly been directed to take up the process of fresh appointments under the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2026 "without any delay."

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