India proposes National Tribunals Commission via new reform bill

The Indian government is set to introduce the Tribunal Reforms Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha to overhaul the country's tribunal system. The proposed legislation aims to improve the efficiency, transparency, and independence of 16 semi-judicial tribunals and appellate bodies, including the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Central Administrative Tribunal, and the Securities Appellate Tribunal.

A central feature of the Bill is the establishment of a five-member National Tribunals Commission (NTC). The NTC will be responsible for overseeing appointments, reviewing tribunal performance, and addressing complaints involving chairpersons and members. The Commission will consist of a chairperson—who must be a former Supreme Court judge or High Court Chief Justice—and four members, including two judicial and two technical members. The government must consult the Chief Justice of India regarding the appointment of the Chairperson and judicial members.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh welcomed the Bill, noting that it aligns with a 2025 Supreme Court ruling in the Madras Bar Association case, which had struck down certain provisions of the 2021 Act. Ramesh expressed hope that the reforms would allow tribunals like the NGT to "rediscover their voice" and strengthen their independence.