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• The Tribunal Reforms Act, 2026, establishes a National Tribunal Commission (NTC) in India.
• The NTC will consist of a Chairperson and four members, with the Chairperson being a retired Supreme Court judge or Chief Justice of a High Court.
• The Commission's responsibilities include conducting selection processes, reviewing Tribunal performance, and developing a National Tribunals Data Grid.
• The Act does not bring all Tribunals under the Ministry of Law and Justice, leaving some exceptions such as the National Company Law Tribunal and GST Tribunals.

The creation of the NTC marks a significant shift in the regulatory framework governing India's Tribunals.

The Tribunal Reforms Act, 2026, has been enacted to establish a National Tribunal Commission (NTC) in India. This development follows the Supreme Court's direction in Madras Bar Assn. v. Union of India (2021) 7 SCC 369, which suggested creating a nodal ministry to oversee all Tribunals. The NTC will consist of a Chairperson, two judicial members, and two technical members, with the Chairperson being a retired Supreme Court judge or Chief Justice of a High Court. The Commission's responsibilities include conducting selection processes through a search-cum-selection committee, reviewing Tribunal performance, overseeing inquiries into complaints against members, and developing a National Tribunals Data Grid.

The creation of the NTC marks a significant shift in the regulatory framework governing India's Tribunals. While the Act provides for a nodal ministry to oversee Tribunals, it does not bring all Tribunals under the Ministry of Law and Justice. The National Company Law Tribunal and GST Tribunals are notable exceptions. The Act also delegates extensive legislative powers to the government through 'prescribed' regulations, which will govern qualifications, selection methods, appointments, salaries, allowances, resignations, removals, and other service conditions. This approach is consistent with current legislative practices in India.

The implications of the NTC's new responsibilities are far-reaching for lawyers and their clients. The Commission's role in conducting selection processes and reviewing Tribunal performance may impact clients with matters before various Tribunals. Lawyers should be aware of these changes and their potential consequences, particularly in sectors such as company law, tax, and securities. As the NTC begins to exercise its powers, it will be essential for stakeholders to understand how these reforms will shape the administration of justice in India.

Lawyers should watch for the implications of the National Tribunal Commission's new responsibilities, including conducting selection processes and reviewing performance, which may impact clients with matters before various tribunals.

Source: Original reporting via Legal Notes by Arvind Datar