Center To Introduce New Tribunal Reforms Bill In Monsoon Session Supreme Court Informed

The Central Government has informed the Supreme Court that it's preparing to introduce a new Tribunal Reforms Bill during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. This development comes as a response to the continuous pressure from the Supreme Court regarding the high number of vacancies and the overall functioning of tribunals across the country. Attorney General R. Venkataramani provided this update during a crucial hearing, stating that the draft of the new legislation is in its final stages of preparation.

Government Assurance in the Supreme Court

During the proceedings related to the vacant positions in tribunals nationwide, the Central Government stated on Tuesday that the drafting of a new bill is currently in its final stages. Attorney General R. Venkataramani informed the bench led by CJI Surya Kant about this progress, while the bench, which also included Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, had previously emphasized that these judicial bodies can't be allowed to become defunct due to administrative delays or vacancies. The court had earlier asked the government to create a uniform proposal for the functioning of tribunals across the country.

Background of the Legal Dispute

The Supreme Court had previously observed that the Central Government had reintroduced certain provisions, which were earlier struck down by the court, with only minor modifications, while in light of this, the Supreme Court had directed the Central Government to establish a National Tribunal Commission within a period of 4 months. During the recent hearing, Justice Bagchi pointed out that the proposed bill wasn't initially included in the Monsoon Session's agenda. In response to this observation, the Attorney General stated, "We will try," indicating the government's intent to move forward with the legislative process.

The Role of the National Tribunal Commission

The court has emphasized that the creation of a National Tribunal Commission is a necessary structural safeguard. This body is designed to ensure independence, transparency, and uniformity in the appointment, administration, and overall functioning of tribunals across India. The court's repeated emphasis on this body highlights its recognition that minor or piecemeal reforms can't fix the systemic deficiencies that have persisted for decades. The objective is to create a strong framework that protects the judicial independence of these bodies.

Previous Rulings and Appointments

In November 2025, a bench comprising the then CJI BR Gavai and Justice Vinod Chandran had struck down rules related to the appointment and tenure of tribunal members under the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021. The court found that these rules violated its earlier judgments on the matter. The Supreme Court noted that the rules, which it had previously invalidated, were reintroduced by the government with very few changes. Consequently, the court had issued a directive to form the National Tribunal Commission within 4 months to oversee these processes independently.