Background of Tribunals in India
National Tribunal Commission Mandate After Supreme Court Verdict: Tribunals in India were introduced to handle specialized disputes and reduce the case load on regular courts. Static GK fact: Articles 323-A and 323-B empower Parliament to establish tribunals for service and administrative matters. Over the decades, multiple tribunals have been created for sectors like taxation, environment and corporate law.
What the Tribunal Reforms Act 2021 Changed
The Tribunal Reforms Act 2021 aimed to bring uniformity to conditions of service, appointments and tenure of tribunal members. It fixed shorter tenure for members and set a minimum age requirement of 50 years. These provisions increased dependence on the executive, reducing institutional autonomy necessary for impartial decisions.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Key Provisions
A Bench led by the Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai ruled that crucial provisions of the Act violated judicial independence. It held that the Act reintroduced rules earlier struck down in constitutional cases related to tribunal autonomy. The court noted that restricting tenure to only four years and limiting the selection list undermined stability and fair adjudication.
Directive to Establish a National Tribunal Commission
The Supreme Court has directed the Union Government to create a National Tribunal Commission within four months. This body will ensure transparent selection, uniform administration and accountability across all tribunals. The Commission will function as a structural safeguard to protect decision-making from executive pressure.
Static GK Tip: The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that judicial review is part of the basic structure of the Constitution, and no law can dilute this principle.
Reinforcing Constitutional Principles
The court criticized Parliament for passing a “repackaged” law that ignored earlier judicial directions. It reiterated that legislative bodies cannot override binding judgments simply by modifying words. Static GK fact: The Basic Structure Doctrine, developed in Kesavananda Bharati (1973), restricts Parliament from altering essential constitutional features.
Ensuring Tribunal Independence Going Forward
The ruling emphasizes that tribunals perform judicial functions and therefore must be free from executive interference. Reforms must align with long-established norms on age limits, qualifications, and security of tenure. A robust selection system is essential for the credibility of adjudicatory institutions that handle public rights and economic disputes.
Governance and Justice System Impact
The upcoming National Tribunal Commission is expected to streamline tribunal operations and safeguard impartiality. It marks a strong step toward faster and fairer justice in areas requiring expert adjudication. Protecting independence of tribunals is vital for citizens’ trust, effective governance and upholding constitutional promises.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
National Tribunal Commission Mandate After Supreme Court Verdict:
| Topic | Detail |
| Key judgment | Supreme Court ruling on Tribunal Reforms Act 2021 |
| Main directive | Establishment of National Tribunal Commission |
| Time frame given | Four months for Union Government |
| Issue in Act | Executive dominance over appointments and service conditions |
| Tenure concern | Short four-year tenure held unconstitutional |
| Minimum age rule | Age 50 requirement struck down |
| Constitutional protection | Judicial independence and separation of powers |
| Basic legal principle | Judicial review upheld as part of basic structure |
