Archive · 28 Jul 2026
Armed Forces Tribunal Faces Severe Staff Shortages
The Armed Forces Tribunal, which helps soldiers and veterans with legal issues, is having a tough time because it doesn't have enough people working there.
There are 205 fewer staff members than needed, and 12 important jobs for judges are empty.
Some places, like Srinagar, Jabalpur, and Guwahati, don't have any judges at all.
This means it's harder for soldiers and their families to get the help they need quickly.
The government says the number of pending cases is not as high as some people think, but experts are worried that not having enough staff will make things worse.
Armed Forces Tribunal faces a shortage of 205 administrative and support staff members.
12 posts for tribunal members are vacant across principal and regional benches.
Several regional benches, including Srinagar, Jabalpur, and Guwahati, have zero judicial members.
Principal bench in New Delhi has 38 vacant staff positions against a current strength of 65.
Defence experts warn that prolonged vacancies risk accumulating backlogs and delaying legal redress.
- Who
- Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), Defence Ministry, Defence Experts
- What
- Severe shortage of members and staff across benches
- When
- Data revealed in Lok Sabha
- Where
- Principal bench in New Delhi and 10 regional benches nationwide
- Why
- To address pendency of cases and ensure speedy justice for service personnel and veterans
Government's Stance
Defence Experts' Concerns
Vacancy Denial
Government's Stance
The Defence Ministry denied the figure of over 35,000 pending cases.
Defence Experts' Concerns
Defence experts highlight that prolonged vacancies risk accumulating backlogs and delaying legal redress.
- Total Staff Shortage
- 205 administrative and support staff members
- Vacant Member Posts
- 12
- Regional Benches Without Members
- Srinagar, Jabalpur, Guwahati
- Principal Bench Staff Shortage
- 38 vacant positions
- Lucknow Bench Staff Shortage
- 31 vacant positions
- Chandigarh Bench Staff Shortage
- 26 vacant positions
- Guwahati Bench Staff Shortage
- 22 vacant positions