Full Breakdown
Supreme Court Calls for Short-Term Extensions of Retiring Tribunal Members
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 15, 2026, a three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court—Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana—asked the Union government to consider ad-hoc extensions of the tenure of retiring presiding officers and members of quasi-judicial tribunals. The request was framed as an interim measure to prevent tribunals from becoming defunct because of imminent vacancies.
Background & Context
The Court’s intervention follows a series of pending retirements that threaten quorum in bodies such as the Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT) in Allahabad and Delhi. Advocates highlighted that the presiding officers of those DRAT benches are scheduled to retire this month, which would leave the appellate tribunals without the minimum number of members required to hear cases. The government has already constituted Search-cum-Selection Committees and begun interviews for vacancies in the Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs), DRATs, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and other forums.
Official Statements & Responses
Attorney General R. Venkataramani told the Bench that the appointment process is “set in motion” and that interim applications should no longer be entertained. He noted that the newly enacted Tribunal Reforms Act, 2026 provides a mechanism for extensions and that 248 members of different tribunals have been identified as eligible for such extensions. The Court also directed the government to file a fresh status report within two weeks, outlining the timeline for new appointments and the possibility of short-term extensions.
Data & Statistics
- 248 tribunal members are eligible for extension under Section 24 of the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2026.
- Three members of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) have already had their tenures extended until replacements are appointed.
- The pending retirements in DRAT Allahabad and DRAT Delhi would create a quorum shortfall if not addressed promptly.
Impact and Next Steps
The Bench warned that without timely extensions or appointments, litigants in debt recovery, company law, service matters and customs disputes could face prolonged delays. The government must submit the requested status report within the two-week window, and a further hearing is scheduled for September 16, 2026 to review the Centre’s response.
