SC Extends Three NGT Members’ Tenure as 248 Tribunal Members Get Extension

The Centre on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that 248 members of different tribunals have been found eligible for extension under the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2026 and their services are being extended.

The disclosure came as a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana considered the impending exit of three National Green Tribunal (NGT) members - two judicial and one technical - whose terms were ending on Tuesday. The court noted that their departure could adversely affect the functioning of the green tribunal and, as an interim measure, directed them to continue until fresh appointments are made.

The Attorney General assured the bench that the selection process for new NGT members would be completed soon. Although the three members may not otherwise qualify for an extension because of the applicable age limit, the court prioritised continuity and directed the Centre to expedite appointments to other tribunals as well.

The NGT, established in 2010, is a specialised forum for adjudicating environmental disputes involving pollution, forests, natural resources and environmental clearances. It can provide compensation for environmental damage, order restoration of the environment and apply principles such as sustainable development, the precautionary principle and the polluter-pays principle. Its judicial and technical composition makes timely appointments crucial to keeping its benches functional.

During the hearing, the Attorney General said extension orders had already been issued for 229 of the 248 eligible members, while orders for the remaining 19 were being issued on Tuesday. The eligible members will continue until they complete the five-year tenure prescribed under the new regime or reach the applicable maximum age limit.

The development follows the Supreme Court’s May 19 order, which had extended the tenure of tribunal chairpersons, presidents and members whose terms were due to expire before September 8 to prevent disruption in tribunal functioning.

The Tribunal Reforms Act, 2026 introduces a new framework aimed at improving tribunal administration, appointments and accountability. Key changes include a proposed National Tribunals Commission, a more structured and judiciary-led appointment mechanism, uniform five-year tenure provisions and a National Tribunals Data Grid for monitoring cases and tribunal performance.

The reforms come amid continuing operational challenges at the NGT. A parliamentary review flagged staff shortages, infrastructure constraints, digital-system gaps and case pendency. As of June 30, 2026, the tribunal had received 55,619 cases and disposed of 49,740, leaving 5,879 pending. The Principal Bench accounted for 2,318 pending cases, followed by Pune with 1,730, Chennai with 887, Kolkata with 587 and Bhopal with 277.

The Supreme Court’s intervention therefore provides immediate continuity while highlighting a wider challenge for the new tribunal regime: ensuring timely appointments, adequately staffed benches and uninterrupted access to specialised environmental justice.