Archive · 2 Oct 2026
New Rules Set Standards for Tribunal Leadership Appointments
The government has created rules for choosing people who lead tribunals.
Tribunals are bodies that decide certain legal and administrative disputes.
The new National Tribunals Commission will help make these appointments.
It will oversee appointments for 16 tribunals and appellate bodies.
The commission will have one chairperson and four members.
Candidates may be tested through expert reviews, interviews and written exercises.
The rules also explain salaries and how complaints about misconduct should be investigated.
The Supreme Court had called for an independent and transparent system for these appointments.
The rules establish procedures for appointing leaders and members of 16 tribunals and appellate bodies.
The National Tribunals Commission will have a chairperson, two judicial members and two technical members.
A commission chairperson will receive Rs 2.5 lakh monthly, while members will receive Rs 2.25 lakh.
Vacancy-filling procedures must begin at least six months before positions become vacant.
Selection committees will use expert assessments, personal interactions and, where applicable, written exercises.
- Who
- The Union law ministry and the newly-created National Tribunals Commission are central to the rules; the Supreme Court had directed that such a commission be established.
- What
- Rules have been framed to standardise the qualifications, selection, service conditions, remuneration and misconduct inquiries for tribunal chairpersons and members.
- When
- The rules were issued on September 30 and published on October 2.
- Where
- The National Tribunals Commission will be headquartered in Delhi.
- Why
- The rules aim to improve efficiency and ensure independence, transparency and uniformity in tribunal appointments.
- Coverage
- The commission will appoint chairpersons and members to 16 tribunals and appellate bodies.
- Commission structure
- The commission will consist of a chairperson, two judicial members and two technical members.
- Chairperson eligibility
- A retired Supreme Court judge or retired chief justice of a high court may head the commission.
- Monthly pay
- The commission chairperson will receive Rs 2.5 lakh and commission members Rs 2.25 lakh per month; specified exceptions apply.
- Vacancy timeline
- Recruitment procedures must begin at least six months before vacancies arise.
- Selection process
- Search-cum-selection committees will use expert evaluation, personal interaction and, where applicable, writing exercises.
- Legal background
- The commission followed Parliament's passage of the Tribunals Reforms Bill in August and a Supreme Court direction.