Commercial tribunals case backlog rises sharply, Supreme Court rules on reforms

The government responded by citing Supreme Court findings and providing data on staffing and case statistics.

Asked and answered by: Asked by Shri Manish Tewari; Answered by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice.

What the government said

• Supreme Court judgment dated 19.11.2025 in Madras Bar Association vs. UOI regarding Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021.
• ITAT vacancies: 46 Chairperson/Member posts vacant in 2024-25, reducing to 14 by 2026-27.
• NCLT vacancies: 12 Chairperson/Member posts and 253 Registry staff vacant as on 03.08.2026.
• NCLAT vacancies: 1 Chairperson/Member post and 85 Registry staff vacant as on 30.06.2026.
• DRT status: 7 out of 39 Debt Recovery Tribunals are vacant, with Presiding Officers of other DRTs assigned additional charge.
• ITAT pendency increased from 38,759 cases in 2024-25 to 68,018 cases by 30.06.2026.
• NCLT pendency decreased from 21,664 cases in 2023-24 to 14,813 cases in 2025-26.
• Measures include strengthening digital infrastructure, e-Office adoption, video conferencing hearings, and online case management systems.

Also in the document

• The answer does not directly address the proposal for a 'National Tribunals Commission' mentioned in part (e) of the question, instead listing existing legislative and procedural measures.
• ITAT case pendency figures show a significant increase over the three-year period, rising from 38,759 to 68,018 cases.
• The government states it is making efforts to fill vacancies but does not provide a specific timeline for filling the 253 vacant registry positions at NCLT.