Story perspectives

Supreme Court Orders Report on NCLT Infrastructure Gaps

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 4:24 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Chief Justice Surya Kant ordered the government to report National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) infrastructure gaps.
The Court noted NCLT’s sanctioned strength of 63 members but only 50 are serving.
The Bar Association reported 27 judicial and 23 technical members, with 18 vacancies expected by Dec 2027.
All 246 administrative staff, including court masters, serve on temporary contracts.
Eighteen benches have held half-day sittings since Aug 24 because of retirements.

History

Historical Context

India’s effort to close gaps in its National Company Law Tribunal reflects a broader, decades-long struggle to staff courts fully. Similar challenges appear elsewhere; the U.S. Supreme Court’s bench was fixed at nine members by the 1869 Judiciary Act and has remained unchanged despite rising caseloads. Today, 50 of 63 NCLT members serve, leaving 13 vacancies.

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Story summary

Chief Justice Surya Kant ordered the government to report National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) infrastructure gaps.
The Court noted NCLT’s sanctioned strength of 63 members but only 50 are serving.
The Bar Association reported 27 judicial and 23 technical members, with 18 vacancies expected by Dec 2027.
All 246 administrative staff, including court masters, serve on temporary contracts.
Eighteen benches have held half-day sittings since Aug 24 because of retirements.

1 / 2