New Delhi, August 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, paving the way for the creation of a National Tribunals Commission to oversee the selection and functioning of chairpersons and members of tribunals across the country.
The legislation was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 10. With approval from both Houses, Parliament has cleared the proposed framework for a centralised system of tribunal appointments.
Earlier during Tuesday’s post-lunch sitting, Opposition INDIA bloc parties staged a walkout after Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was not allowed to speak while the Bill was being debated.
Replying to the debate, Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said tribunals play a complementary role in delivering speedy justice. He said the government began rationalising tribunals in 2016, followed by the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021.
The new legislation seeks to replace the 2021 law and establish an independent National Tribunals Commission. The proposed body will comprise a chairperson who must be a former Supreme Court judge or former Chief Justice of a High Court, along with two judicial members and two technical members.
The Commission will be responsible for appointments, performance reviews, examination of complaints and maintenance of a National Tribunals Data Grid.
Meghwal said the reforms were part of the government’s broader vision of a Viksit Bharat and highlighted parallel developments in technology, taxation and the economy. He clarified that the Bill would not alter the jurisdiction of tribunals and said its objective was to ensure greater transparency, independence and uniformity in appointments and service conditions.
Opposing the legislation, AAP MP Sanjay Singh raised concerns over the representation of Dalit and Adivasi communities in the higher judiciary and questioned whether reservation would be provided for these communities in tribunals.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju agreed that representation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Supreme Court remained limited, noting that only one member of these communities had reached the apex court as a judge. He, however, said tribal communities had received greater opportunities under the BJP-led government and pointed out that he himself belonged to the tribal community and was serving as a Union minister.
Singh also alleged corruption in National Company Law Tribunals, claiming that large corporate entities were being granted waivers. He expressed apprehension that the proposed reforms could increase government control over tribunals.
Supporting the Bill, BJP MP Swati Maliwal said it addressed the prolonged wait faced by ordinary citizens for justice and was important for restoring public confidence in the justice system.
AIADMK member IS Inabdurai also supported the legislation while raising the Cauvery issue and urging the Centre to intervene.
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