RTI Response Reveals Judicial & Technical Member Vacancies In NCLT Amid Concerns Over Case Backlog

In an RTI filed by an advocate, it has been revealed that multiple vacancies are unfilled within the National Company Law Tribunals (NCLT), despite the pendency of a high number of cases. The application (Reg. No. MOCAF/R/E/25/01140, dated 12.09.2025) was filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs asking for details of pending cases, vacancies of judicial & technical members, and recruitment procedures in NCLT and NCLAT. Subsequently, the application was transferred under section 6(3) of the RTI Act to the NCLT and NCLAT for their response. Following were the key findings of the application: Pending Cases in the National Company Law Tribunal from 2015 to 2020 The joint registrar of the NCLT directed to consult the official website of the NCLT, where a case status report for March 2025 was published. However, the applicant found the reply evasive and non-specific, as it provided no specific statistical breakdown. Vacancies in NCLT and NCLAT Across all regional branches of the NCLT, there are 2 vacancies for Judicial Member and 3 for the Technical Member vacant as of now. And, as per the response of the CPIO, there is no vacancy available at NCLAT either for a judicial or technical member. Recruitment Files and Selection Committee Records The NCLT stated that the recruitment and appointment fall under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and information about the notifications is publicly available on the MCA's website. The applicant says that the vague and mechanical response, specifically with regard to the pendency of cases, is against the spirit of transparency as prescribed under the RTI Act. Also, the applicant is preparing to file the first appeal under section 19 of the act to seek more specific information. The applicant says that “these responses, while consistent, collectively underscore the continuing issue of vacant judicial and technical positions, particularly within the NCLT, which plays a critical role in adjudicating potential corporate disputes and insolvency matters under the IBC framework. The presence of vacancies may potentially affect the timely disposal of cases, which has broader implications for corporate governance and economic resolution mechanisms in India.” (The applicant, Mr. Y. Balachander Reddy, is a Telangana-based advocate and RTI activist.) Click Here To Read/Download The Order

RTI Response Reveals Judicial & Technical Member Vacancies In NCLT Amid Concerns Over Case Backlog

Mohd.Rehan Ali

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