The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, which seeks to overhaul the framework governing the appointment, service conditions and functioning of tribunals, with the stated objective of improving efficiency, independence, transparency and uniformity.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Bill in Lok Sabha on August 10, 2026. He said the legislation was aimed at strengthening the appointment process, tribunal independence and transparency.
A key proposal in the Bill is the establishment of a National Tribunals Commission, comprising a Chairperson, two Judicial Members and two Technical Members. The Chairperson would have to be a former Supreme Court Judge or Chief Justice of a High Court, while Judicial Members would have to be former Chief Justices or Judges of High Courts.
The proposed Commission would conduct the selection process for Chairpersons and Members of tribunals through Search-cum-Selection Committees, review tribunal performance, oversee inquiries into complaints against tribunal members and develop and maintain a National Tribunals Data Grid.
Under the Bill, appointments of Chairpersons and Members would be made by the Central Government on the recommendations of the Search-cum-Selection Committees. The Committees would include judicial, technical and executive representatives as well as experts empanelled by the Commission.
The proposed legislation further provides for uniform terms of office, with a five-year tenure for Chairpersons, subject to the age of 70 years, and five years for Members, subject to the age of 67 years.
The Bill seeks to repeal the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 and replace it with the proposed 2026 framework. The Statement of Objects and Reasons states that the move follows the Supreme Court’s decision in Madras Bar Association v. Union of India, 2025 INSC 1330, which struck down provisions of the 2021 law on grounds including separation of powers and judicial independence and directed the establishment of an independent and transparent National Tribunals Commission. The long title of the Bill states:
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“A BILL to improve the efficiency, ensure independence, transparency, and uniformity in the qualifications, appointment, terms and conditions of service of Chairpersons and Members of various Tribunals, the administration and functioning of the Tribunals, to establish a National Tribunals Commission and to make consequential amendments in related enactments and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.”
The Bill covers 16 tribunals/authorities, including the Central Administrative Tribunal, Securities Appellate Tribunal, Debts Recovery Tribunal and Appellate Tribunal, Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, Armed Forces Tribunal, National Green Tribunal, NCLAT, NCDRC and Income-tax Appellate Tribunal.
The proposed framework also provides that the Commission’s regulations and rules made by the Central Government on specified matters would be laid before Parliament.
The Bill will now proceed to the Rajya Sabha for consideration.
Read More Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026