Archive · 21 Nov 2025
SC Strikes Down Tribunals Reforms Act, Affirms Judicial Independence
The Supreme Court said a law about how tribunals work is not good because it lets the government control them too much.
The court said tribunals should be independent and have secure, long jobs.
The government has to make a new group to help with tribunals now.
Supreme Court struck down the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, as unconstitutional
The Act gave the Union government greater control over tribunals' appointments, tenure, and service conditions
The court directed the government to establish a National Tribunals Commission within four months
The judgment is the latest in a long-running tussle between the judiciary and the executive over tribunal independence
The court rebuked the government for not adhering to judicial pronouncements, leading to repetitive litigation
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India
- What
- Struck down the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021
- When
- Wednesday, [Date]
- Where
- Supreme Court of India
- Why
- To uphold the independence of tribunals and prevent government overreach
Judiciary
Executive
Independence of tribunals
Judiciary
Judiciary views tribunals as quasi-judicial bodies requiring independence from the executive
Executive
Executive seeks greater control over tribunals' functioning
- Act
- Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021
- Judges
- Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran
- Establishment Directive
- National Tribunals Commission within four months
- Previous Cases
- SP Sampath Kumar (1987), Rojer Mathew (2019), Madras Bar Association (V) (2021)
