What happened
The Supreme Court directed the establishment of an independent National Tribunals Commission to strengthen tribunal functioning. The Supreme Court’s direction emphasises professional expertise, transparent selection procedures, and an oversight mechanism for tribunal appointments.
Background and earlier position
The Supreme Court had earlier examined tribunal-related statutory provisions and found that some provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 were inconsistent with separation of powers (functional boundaries among the legislature, executive, and judiciary) and judicial independence (protection against undue external influence on adjudicators).
What changed now
The Supreme Court’s direction centres tribunal appointment oversight within an independent National Tribunals Commission. A described legislative proposal would also regulate tribunal personnel by prescribing:qualifications for tribunal chairpersons and tribunal membersselection procedures for tribunal chairpersons and tribunal membersappointment procedures for tribunal chairpersons and tribunal membersservice conditions for tribunal chairpersons and tribunal members, including pay, allowances, tenure, resignation, removal, and related terms
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