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No. 20] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026/SRAVANA 19, 1948 (Saka)

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Separate paging is given to this Part in order that it may be filed as a separate compilation.

LOK SABHA

————

The following Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha on 10th August, 2026:—

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Bill No. 153 of 2026

A Bill to improve the efficiency, ensure independence, transparency, and uniformity in

the qualifications, appointment, terms and conditions of service of Chairpersons and

Members of various Tribunals, the administration and functioning of the

Tribunals, to establish a National Tribunals Commission and to make

consequential amendments in related enactments and for matters connected

therewith or incidental thereto.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-seventh Year of the Republic of

India as follows:—

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

1. (1) This Act may be called the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.

(2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by

notification in the Official Gazette, appoint; and different dates may be appointed

for different provisions of this Act and any reference in any such provision to the

commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the coming into

force of that provision.

Short title and

commencement.

The following Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha on 10th August 2026:-

BILL No. 153 OF 2026

LOK SABHA

___________सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-11082026-275358

CG-DL-E-11082026-275358

2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—2

Definitions.

National

Tribunals

Commission.

2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

(a) “Chairperson” includes Chairperson, Chairman, President and

Presiding Officer of a Tribunal, but does not include the Chairperson of the

Commission;

(b) “Chairperson of the Commission” means the Chairperson of the

National Tribunals Commission;

(c) “Commission” means the National Tribunals Commission

established under section 3;

(d) “Member” includes Vice-Chairman, Vice-Chairperson, Vice-President,

Accountant Member, Administrative Member, Judicial Member, Expert

Member, Law Member and Technical Member of a Tribunal;

(e) “Member of the Commission” means a Judicial Member or a

Technical Member of the National Tribunals Commission;

(f) “National Tribunals Data Grid” means a portal containing the

repository of all case related information pertaining to Tribunals specified in

the First Schedule;

(g) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

(h) “regulations” means the regulations made by the Commission

under section 19;

(i) “Schedule” means a Schedule appended to this Act;

(j) “Search-cum-Selection Committee” means a Search-cum-Selection

Committee constituted under section 13;

(k) “Secretariat” means the Secretariat of the Commission referred to in

section 8; and

(l) “Tribunal” means a Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal or Authority as

specified in column (2) of the First Schedule.

CHAPTER II

NATIONAL TRIBUNALS COMMISSION

3. (1) With effect from such date as the Central Government may, by notification

in the Official Gazette, appoint, there shall be established a Commission to be called

the National Tribunals Commission to exercise the powers conferred upon it and to

perform the functions assigned to it under this Act.

(2) The headquarters of the National Tribunals Commission shall be at New

Delhi.

(3) The Commission shall consist of a Chairperson and four Members, of

whom, two shall be Judicial Members and two shall be Technical Members.

(4) A person shall be qualified for appointment—

(a) as the Chairperson, if he has been a Judge of the Supreme Court or

a Chief Justice of a High Court;

(b) as a Judicial Member, if he has been a Chief Justice of a High Court

or a Judge of a High Court; and

(c) as a Technical Member, if he is a person of ability, integrity and

standing, who has special knowledge and experience of not less than

twenty-five years in the fields of public administration, finance, law,

accountancy, banking, management or technology.

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4. The Commission shall––

(a) conduct the selection process for filling up the vacancies of

Chairpersons and Members of the Tribunals specified in the First Schedule,

through the Search-cum-Selection Committees constituted under section 13;

(b) review the performance of the Tribunals, and cause an annual

report to be prepared and submitted to the Central Government;

(c) oversee the conduct of inquiry into complaints against the

Chairpersons and Members of the Tribunals; and

(d) develop and maintain the National Tribunals Data Grid.

5. (1) The Chairperson of the Commission and the Members of the

Commission shall be appointed by the Central Government:

Provided that the Central Government shall consult the Chief Justice of India

before making an appointment to the post of Chairperson of the Commission and

Judicial Members of the Commission.

(2) The Chairperson of the Commission or a Member of the Commission

shall hold office for a term of five years or till he attains the age of seventy years,

whichever is earlier.

(3) The salaries, allowances and other terms and conditions of holding office

of the Chairperson of the Commission and the Members of the Commission shall

be such, as may be prescribed.

(4) Where a vacancy in the office of the Chairperson of the Commission arises

for any reason, the senior-most Judicial Member of the Commission shall act as the

Chairperson of the Commission until the date on which a new Chairperson enters upon

his office.

(5) When the Chairperson of the Commission is unable to discharge his

functions owing to absence, illness or any other cause, the senior-most Judicial

Member of the Commission shall discharge the functions of the Chairperson of the

Commission until the date on which he resumes charge of his office.

6. (1) The Chairperson of the Commission or any Member of the

Commission may, by notice in writing under his hand addressed to the Central

Government, resign his office:

Provided that the Chairperson of the Commission or a Member of the

Commission shall, unless permitted by the Central Government to relinquish his

office sooner, continue to hold office until the expiry of three months from the

date of receipt of such notice, or until a Chairperson or Member appointed as his

successor enters upon his office, or until the expiry of his term of office,

whichever is earlier.

(2) The Central Government may, by order, remove from office the

Chairperson of the Commission or a Member of the Commission, who—

(a) is, or at any time has been, adjudged as an insolvent; or

(b) has been convicted of an offence which involves moral turpitude; or

(c) has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as such

Chairperson of the Commission or a Member of the Commission; or

(d) has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect

prejudicially his functions as such Chairperson of the Commission or a

Member of the Commission; or

(e) has so abused his position as to render his continuance in office

prejudicial to the public interest.

Powers and

functions of

Commission.

Appointment,

term of office,

etc., of

Chairperson of

Commission and

Members of

Commission.

Resignation and

removal of

Chairperson of

Commission and

Members of

Commission.

4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—4

Vacancy, etc.,

not to invalidate

actions.

Secretariat of

Commission.

Meetings of

Commission.

Grants by

Central

Government.

Accounts and

audit.

(3) The Chairperson of the Commission or a Member of the Commission

shall not be removed from his office on the ground specified in clause (d) or

clause (e) of sub-section (2) unless he has been informed of the charges against

him and given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in an inquiry held by a

Committee constituted for the purpose in such manner as may be prescribed.

(4) The Committee referred to in sub-section (3) shall be headed by a person

who is a Judge of the Supreme Court to be nominated by the Chief Justice of India.

7. No act or proceeding of the Commission shall be invalid merely by reason of—

(a) any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the

Commission; or

(b) any defect in the appointment of the Chairperson of the

Commission or a person acting as such Chairperson, or of a Member of the

Commission.

8. (1) The Central Government shall appoint an officer of the rank of Secretary

to the Government of India as the Secretary of the Commission.

(2) The Secretary of the Commission shall head the Secretariat and exercise

such administrative and financial powers of the Commission, as may be

prescribed.

(3) The number of officers and employees of the Secretariat and their

appointment, terms and conditions of service shall be such, as may be prescribed.

(4) The Secretariat shall, subject to the general and administrative oversight

of the Chairperson of the Commission under sub-section (5), discharge such

functions as may be prescribed.

(5) The Chairperson of the Commission may issue such instructions and

directions of general nature to the Secretariat as he may deem fit in the interest of

efficient administration of the Commission.

9. (1) The Commission shall observe such procedure in regard to the holding

and transaction of business at its meetings in such manner as may be specified by

regulations.

(2) The Chairperson of the Commission shall preside over the meetings of

the Commission.

(3) When the Chairperson of the Commission is unable to attend a meeting

of the Commission for any reason, the senior-most Judicial Member of the

Commission present at the meeting shall preside over it.

(4) All matters which are brought before the Commission, shall be decided

by a majority of the Members of the Commission, including the Chairperson of the

Commission, present and voting.

(5) The Chairperson of the Commission shall have a casting vote.

10. The Central Government may, after due appropriation made by

Parliament by law in this behalf, make to the Commission grants of such sums of

money as it may deem appropriate for being utilised for the purposes of this Act.

11. (1) The Commission shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant

records and prepare an annual statement of accounts in such form as may be

prescribed, in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.

(2) The accounts of the Commission shall be audited by the Comptroller and

Auditor-General of India at such intervals as may be specified by him, and any

expenditure incurred in connection with such audit shall be payable by the

Commission to the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.

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(3) The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and any other person

appointed by him in connection with the audit of the accounts of the Commission

shall have the same rights, privileges and authority in connection with such audit

as the Comptroller and Auditor-General generally has in connection with the audit

of Government accounts and, in particular, shall have the right to demand the

production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and

papers, and to inspect any of the offices of the Commission.

(4) The accounts of the Commission as certified by the Comptroller and

Auditor-General of India, together with the audit report thereon, shall be

forwarded annually to the Central Government, and that Government shall cause

the same to be laid before each House of Parliament.

12. (1) The Secretariat shall prepare, once in every year, an annual report

giving a true and full account of the activities of the Commission during the

previous year, and forward copies of such report, through the Commission, to the

Central Government.

(2) A copy of the report received under sub-section (1) shall be laid by the

Central Government, as soon as may be after it is received, before each House of

Parliament.

CHAPTER III

MANNER OF SELECTION AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF CHAIRPERSON

AND MEMBERS OF TRIBUNAL

13. (1) For the purpose of the selection of the Chairpersons and Members of

the Tribunals specified in the First Schedule, the Commission shall constitute

Search-cum-Selection Committees as may be required.

(2) A Search-cum-Selection Committee in the case of selection of the

Chairperson of a Tribunal shall consist of the following, namely:––

(a) a Chairperson, who shall be the Chairperson of the Commission;

(b) one Member, who shall be a Technical Member of the

Commission;

(c) one Member, who shall be a retired Chief Justice of a High Court

nominated by the Chairperson of the Commission;

(d) one Member, who is a Secretary to the Government of India

nominated by the Central Government:

Provided that in case of appointment to the post of Chairperson of the

State Administrative Tribunals, the Chief Secretary to the State Government

concerned shall be the Member;

(e) two Members, who are experts empanelled under section 15 who

carried out the assessment of the suitability of candidates; and

(f) one Member Secretary, who shall be the Secretary to the

Commission.

(3) A Search-cum-Selection Committee in the case of selection of the

Members of a Tribunal shall consist of the following, namely:––

(a) a Chairperson, who shall be a Judicial Member of the Commission;

(b) one Member, who shall be a Technical Member of the

Commission;

Furnishing of

annual report to

Central

Government.

Search-cum-

Selection

Committees.

6 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—6

Appointment of

Chairperson and

Members of

Tribunals.

(c) one Member, who shall be a retired Judge of a High Court

nominated by the Chairperson of the Commission;

(d) one Member, who is a Secretary to the Government of India

nominated by the Central Government:

Provided that in case of appointment to the post of Members of the

State Administrative Tribunals, the Chief Secretary to the State Government

concerned shall be the Member;

(e) two Members, who are experts empanelled under section 15 who

carried out the assessment of the suitability of candidates; and

(f) one Member Secretary, who shall be the Secretary to the

Commission.

(4) The Chairperson of the Search-cum-Selection Committee shall have the

casting vote.

(5) The Member Secretary and the expert Members shall not have any vote.

(6) The Search-cum-Selection Committee, after the selection process, shall

forward its recommendation to the Central Government through the Secretariat.

(7) No act or proceeding of a Search-cum-Selection Committee shall be invalid

merely by reason of any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the Committee.

14. (1) Notwithstanding the respective enactments relating to a Tribunal

specified in the First Schedule, the qualifications, manner of selection, appointment,

salaries and allowances, resignation, removal and other conditions of service of the

Chairperson and Members of such Tribunal shall be such, as may be prescribed:

Provided that the Central Government shall, in making rules under this

sub-section, take into consideration the experience and specialisation in the

relevant field which may be required for appointment of a person as the

Chairperson or a Member of a Tribunal.

(2) The Chairperson and the Members of every Tribunal specified in the

First Schedule shall be appointed by the Central Government on the

recommendation of the Search-cum-Selection Committee constituted under

section 13.

(3) The office of the Chairperson of a Tribunal specified in the First

Schedule may be filled either through a selection process or through a search

process, as may be determined by the Search-cum-Selection Committee.

(4) The Search-cum-Selection Committee shall adopt such comprehensive

procedure for assessment of candidates as may be prescribed:

Provided that the manner of scrutiny of applications and weightage for

assessment of candidates shall be such as may be specified by regulations.

(5) Where any person who is or has been a Chairperson or a Member of the

Tribunal, applies for reappointment against an advertisement for selection in the

Tribunal, the Search-cum-Selection Committee shall, while considering his

candidature for selection as per sub-sections (1) and (4), consider his previous

work performance in the Tribunal:

Provided that where a Member is considered for reappointment, the

Search-cum-Selection Committee shall consult the president or Chairperson of the

concerned Tribunal, in cases other than the reappointment of a Member of a

Tribunal constituted by the Central Government under section 44 of the Industrial

Relations Code, 2020.

(6) The Search-cum-Selection Committee shall recommend a suitable person

for appointment to the post of Chairperson or Member, as the case may be, and shall

recommend one additional name for each vacancy to be included in the waiting list.

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(7) The Secretariat shall communicate the recommendation of the

Search-cum-Selection Committee, within a period of three days from the date of

such recommendation, to the Central Government.

(8) The Central Government shall process the recommendation of the

Search-cum-Selection Committee and make the appointment thereto within a

period of three months from the date of receipt of such recommendation.

(9) No appointment shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy or

absence of a Member of the Commission or of a Search-cum-Selection Committee.

15. (1) The Secretariat shall empanel experts from the relevant fields in such

manner and on such terms and conditions of engagement including conflict of

interest as may be specified by regulations, for providing assistance in the

assessment of the suitability of candidates for the posts of Chairpersons and

Members of Tribunals.

(2) The experts who carry out the assessment of the suitability of candidates

under sub-section (1) shall serve as members of the Search-cum-Selection

Committee concerned as constituted under section 13.

16. (1) The Central Government may, by order, remove from office the

Chairperson or Member of a Tribunal, who—

(a) is, or at any time has been, adjudged as an insolvent; or

(b) has been convicted of an offence which involves moral turpitude; or

(c) has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as such

Chairperson or Member of the Tribunal; or

(d) has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect

prejudicially his functions as such Chairperson or Member of the Tribunal; or

(e) has so abused his position as to render his continuance in office

prejudicial to the public interest; or

(f) has been found incompetent or inefficient; or

(g) has engaged, at any time during his term of office, in any paid

assignment.

(2) Where a complaint is received against a Chairperson or Member of a

Tribunal on any ground specified in clauses (d) to (g) of sub-section (1), the

Ministry or Department administering the Tribunal concerned shall conduct a

preliminary inquiry to find out whether the complaint discloses such a ground and

is supported by material facts and documents, and refer the matter to the

Chairperson of the Commission for conduct of inquiry in such manner, as may be

prescribed, and the Commission shall, after such inquiry, submit its

recommendation to the Central Government, for appropriate action, if any.

(3) No Chairperson or Member of a Tribunal shall be removed from his

office on the grounds specified in clauses (d) to (g) of sub-section (1) unless a

reference has been made in this behalf to the Commission and an inquiry has been

made under sub-section (2).

(4) The Central Government shall, on receipt of the recommendation of the

Commission under sub-section (2), take appropriate action as required.

17. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time

being in force,—

(a) the Chairperson of a Tribunal shall hold office for a term of five

years or till he attains the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier; and

(b) a Member of a Tribunal shall hold office for a term of five years or

till he attains the age of sixty-seven years, whichever is earlier.

Empanelment of

experts.

Removal of

Chairperson and

Members of

Tribunals.

Term of office

of Chairperson

and Member of

Tribunal.

8 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—8

Qualifications,

manner of

selection, etc., of

Chairpersons

and Members of

Tribunals under

certain

enactments to be

governed by this

Act.

Power of

Commission to

make

regulations.

Power of Central

Government to

make rules.

(2) The Chairperson or Member of a Tribunal shall be eligible for

consideration for reappointment in accordance with the provisions of section 14.

18. (1) The provisions relating to qualifications, manner of selection,

appointment, salaries and allowances, resignation, removal and other conditions of

service and eligibility for reappointment of the Chairpersons and Members of the

Tribunals under the enactments specified in column (3) of the First Schedule, shall

stand amended in the manner as specified in the Second Schedule.

(2) If the Central Government is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to

do, it may, by notification published in the Official Gazette, amend the First Schedule

and thereupon, the said Schedule shall be deemed to have been amended accordingly.

(3) A copy of every notification issued under sub-section (2) shall be laid

before each House of Parliament, as soon as may be after it is issued.

CHAPTER IV

MISCELLANEOUS

19. (1) The Commission may, in consultation with the Central Government,

for the purposes of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, make

regulations not inconsistent with this Act and the rules made thereunder.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing

power, such regulations may provide for––

(a) the manner of holding and transaction of business of the

Commission at its meetings under sub-section (1) of section 9;

(b) the manner of advertisement of vacancies and processing of

applications;

(c) the manner of scrutiny of applications and weightage for assessment of

candidates under the proviso to sub-section (4) of section 14; and

(d) the manner of empanelment of experts, their terms and conditions of

engagement including conflict of interest under sub-section (1) of section 15.

(3) Every regulation made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after

it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period

of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive

sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session

or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification

in the regulation or both Houses agree that the regulation should not be made, the

regulation shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect,

as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be

without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that regulation.

20. (1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,

make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing

power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—

(a) the salaries, allowances and other terms and conditions of holding

office of the Chairperson of the Commission and the Members of the

Commission under sub-section (3) of section 5;

(b) the manner of constitution of committee and for holding inquiry

under sub-section (3) of section 6;

(c) the administrative and financial powers of the Commission to be

exercised by the Secretary of the Commission under sub-section (2) of section 8;

(d) the number of officers and employees of the Secretariat and their

appointment, terms and conditions of service under sub-section (3) of section 8;

(e) the functions of the Secretariat under sub-section (4) of section 8;

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(f) the form for preparing annual statement of accounts under

sub-section (1) of section 11;

(g) the qualifications, manner of selection, appointment, salaries and

allowances, resignation, removal and other conditions of service of the

Chairperson and Members of Tribunals under sub-section (1) of section 14;

(h) the comprehensive procedure for assessment of candidates under

sub-section (4) of section 14;

(i) the manner of conduct of inquiry under sub-section (2) of

section 16; and

(j) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed for carrying

out the purposes of this Act.

(3) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is

made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of

thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive

sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session

or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any

modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the

rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as

the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be

without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.

21. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the

Central Government or the Commission or any officer of the Central Government

or the Chairperson of the Commission or any Member of the Commission or any

other officer or employee of the Commission, for anything which is in good faith

done or intended to be done under this Act or the rules or regulations made

thereunder.

22. The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything

inconsistent therewith contained in any enactment specified in column (3) of the

First Schedule.

23. (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act,

the Central Government may, by general or special order published in the Official

Gazette, make such provisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as

appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty:

Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of a period of

three years from the date of commencement of this Act.

(2) Every order made under this section shall, as soon as may be after it is

made, be laid before each House of Parliament.

24. (1) The Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 is hereby repealed.

(2) Notwithstanding such repeal,—

(a) anything done or any action taken under the enactments specified in

column (3) of the First Schedule, shall be as valid and as effective in law as

if such thing or action was done or taken under the corresponding provisions

of those enactments, as amended by the Second Schedule to this Act;

(b) the salary, allowances and the other terms and conditions of service

of the Chairperson and Members of a Tribunal specified in the First

Schedule, appointed on or after the commencement of this Act, shall be

governed by the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder;

Protection of

action taken in

good faith.

Act to have

overriding

effect.

Power to remove

difficulties.

Repeal and

savings.

10 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—10

(c) the salary, allowances and other terms and conditions of service of

the Chairperson and Members of any Tribunal specified in the First

Schedule, whose appointments were made on or before the 1st October, 2021

based on the selection or recommendation of the Search-cum-Selection

Committee made in accordance with the provisions of the respective

enactments or the rules made thereunder, shall continue to be governed by

such enactments or the rules made thereunder;

(d) in other cases, where any person was appointed as the Chairperson

or Member of a Tribunal in accordance with the provisions of Chapter II of

the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, on or after the 4th April, 2021 and before

the commencement of this Act, and holding office as such immediately

before the date of commencement of this Act, shall continue to hold office

till the completion of a term of five years from the date of such appointment,

or the age of seventy years, or sixty-seven years, as the case may be,

whichever is earlier, and shall be eligible for reappointment; and

(e) subject to the provisions of clause (d), the salary, allowances and

the other terms and conditions of service of the Chairperson and Members of

any Tribunal specified in the First Schedule, who were appointed in

accordance with the provisions of Chapter II of the Tribunals Reforms

Act, 2021, before the commencement of this Act, and holding office as such

on the date of commencement of this Act, may not be varied to their

disadvantage till the completion of their respective term.

(3) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 and

anything contained in any judgment, order or decree of any Court, or in any law

for the time being in force,—

(a) any Search-cum-Selection Committee constituted in respect of any

Tribunal specified in the First Schedule, as per the provisions of the

Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 or the rules made thereunder, prior to the

establishment of the National Tribunals Commission under this Act, shall

continue and complete the process of selection of Chairperson and Members

of such Tribunal under the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, and the

appointment, salary, allowances and the other terms and conditions of

service of the Chairperson or Member so selected and appointed shall be

governed by the provisions of this Act; and

(b) the appointment of any person as Chairperson or Chairman or

President or Vice-Chairperson or Vice-Chairman or Vice-President or

Presiding Officer or Member of a Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal, or as the

case may be, other Authority, on the basis of selection or recommendation

already made by the Search-cum-Selection Committee in accordance with

the provisions of Chapter II of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, before the

commencement of this Act, shall be deemed to have been made under the

provisions of this Act.

(4) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (2), the provisions of

section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 shall apply with regard to the effect

of repeal.

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30

35

40

45

33 of 2021.

33 of 2021.

33 of 2021.

33 of 2021.

33 of 2021.

10 of 1897.

Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 11

11

THE FIRST SCHEDULE

[See section 2(l)]

Sl.

No.

Tribunal/Appellate

Tribunal/Authority

Enactments

(1) (2) (3)

1. Customs, Excise and

Service Tax Appellate

Tribunal

The Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962)

2. Appellate Tribunal The Smugglers and Foreign Exchange

Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property)

Act, 1976 (13 of 1976)

3. Central Administrative

Tribunal

The Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985

(13 of 1985)

4. State Administrative

Tribunals

The Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985

(13 of 1985)

5. Railway Claims Tribunal The Railway Claims Tribunal Act, 1987

(54 of 1987)

6. Securities Appellate

Tribunal

The Securities and Exchange Board of

India Act, 1992 (15 of 1992)

7. Debts Recovery Tribunal The Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy

Act, 1993 (51 of 1993)

8. Debts Recovery

Appellate Tribunal

The Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy

Act, 1993 (51 of 1993)

9. Telecom Disputes

Settlement and Appellate

Tribunal

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of

India Act, 1997 (24 of 1997)

10. Appellate Tribunal for

Electricity

The Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 2003)

11. Armed Forces Tribunal The Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007

(55 of 2007)

12. National Green Tribunal The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010

(19 of 2010)

13. National Company Law

Appellate Tribunal

The Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013)

14. National Consumer

Disputes Redressal

Commission

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019

(35 of 2019)

15. Industrial Tribunal

constituted by the Central

Government

The Industrial Relations Code, 2020

(35 of 2020)

16. Income-tax Appellate

Tribunal

The Income-tax Act, 2025 (30 of 2025).

12 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—

12

THE SECOND SCHEDULE

(See section 18)

Amendments to certain enactments Marginal headings

(1) (2)

1. In section 129 of the Customs Act, 1962, for

sub-section (7), the following sub-section shall be

substituted, namely:––

“(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act,

the qualifications, manner of selection, appointment,

salaries and allowances, resignation, removal and other

conditions of service and eligibility for reappointment

of a President, Vice-President and other Members of the

Appellate Tribunal under this Act shall be governed by

the provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.”.

Amendment of

Act 52 of 1962.

2. For section 12A of the Smugglers and Foreign

Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act, 1976,

the following section shall be substituted, namely:––

“12A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this

Act, the qualifications, manner of selection,

appointment, salaries and allowances, resignation,

removal and other conditions of service and eligibility

for reappointment of a Chairperson and Members of the

Appellate Tribunal under this Act shall be governed by

the provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.”.

Amendment of

Act 13 of 1976.

Selection,

qualifications,

conditions of

service,

allowances, etc.

3. For section 10B of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985,

the following section shall be substituted, namely:—

“10B. Notwithstanding anything contained in this

Act, the qualifications, manner of selection,

appointment, salaries and allowances, resignation,

removal and other conditions of service and eligibility

for reappointment of a Chairman and Members of the

Tribunal under this Act shall be governed by the

provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.”.

Amendment of

Act 13 of 1985.

Selection,

qualifications,

conditions of

service,

allowances, etc.

4. For section 9A of the Railway Claims Tribunal

Act, 1987, the following section shall be substituted, namely:—

“9A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act,

the qualifications, manner of selection, appointment,

salaries and allowances, resignation, removal and other

conditions of service and eligibility for reappointment

of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and other Members of

the Tribunal under this Act shall be governed by the

provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.”.

Amendment of

Act 54 of 1987.

Selection,

qualifications,

conditions of

service,

allowances, etc.

5. For section 15QA of the Securities and Exchange

Board of India Act, 1992, the following section shall be

substituted, namely:––

“15QA. Notwithstanding anything contained in this

Act, the qualifications, manner of selection, appointment,

salaries and allowances, resignation, removal and other

conditions of service and eligibility for reappointment of

a Presiding Officer and Members of the Securities

Appellate Tribunal under this Act shall be governed by

the provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.”.

Amendment of

Act 15 of 1992.

Selection,

qualifications,

conditions of

service,

allowances, etc.

Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 1313

(1) (2)

6. In the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy

Act, 1993,—

(a) for section 6A, the following section shall be

substituted, namely:––

“6A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this

Act, the qualifications, manner of selection,

appointment, salaries and allowances, resignation,

removal and other conditions of service and

eligibility for reappointment of a Presiding Officer of

the Tribunal under this Act shall be governed by the

provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.”;

(b) for section 15A, the following section shall be

substituted, namely:––

“15A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this

Act, the qualifications, manner of selection,

appointment, salaries and allowances, resignation,

removal and other conditions of service and

eligibility for reappointment of a Chairperson of the

Appellate Tribunal under this Act shall be governed

by the provisions of the Tribunals Reforms

Act, 2026.”.

Amendment of

Act 51 of 1993.

Selection,

qualifications,

conditions of

service,

allowances, etc.

Selection,

qualifications,

conditions of

service,

allowances, etc.

7. For section 14GA of the Telecom Regulatory

Authority of India Act, 1997, the following section shall be

substituted, namely:––

“14GA. Notwithstanding anything contained in this

Act, the qualifications, manner of selection,

appointment, salaries and allowances, resignation,

removal and other conditions of service and eligibility

for reappointment of a Chairperson and Members of the

Appellate Tribunal under this Act shall be governed by

the provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.”.

Amendment of

Act 24 of 1997.

Selection,

qualifications,

conditions of

service,

allowances, etc.

8. For section 117A of the Electricity Act, 2003, the

following section shall be substituted, namely:––

“117A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this

Act, the qualifications, manner of selection,

appointment, salaries and allowances, resignation,

removal and other conditions of service and eligibility

for reappointment of a Chairperson and Members of the

Appellate Tribunal under this Act shall be governed by

the provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.”.

Amendment of

Act 36 of 2003.

Selection,

qualifications,

conditions of

service,

allowances, etc.

9. For section 9A of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007,

the following section shall be substituted, namely:––

“9A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act,

the qualifications, manner of selection, appointment,

salaries and allowances, resignation, removal and other

conditions of service and eligibility for reappointment

of a Chairperson and Members of the Tribunal under

this Act shall be governed by the provisions of the

Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.”.

Amendment of

Act 55 of 2007.

Selection,

qualifications,

conditions of

service,

allowances, etc.

14 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—14

(1) (2)

10. For section 10A of the National Green Tribunal

Act, 2010, the following section shall be substituted, namely:––

“10A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act,

the qualifications, manner of selection, appointment,

salaries and allowances, resignation, removal and other

conditions of service and eligibility for reappointment of

a Chairperson, Judicial Member and Expert Member of

the Tribunal under this Act shall be governed by the

provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.”.

Amendment of

Act 19 of 2010.

Selection,

qualifications,

conditions of

service,

allowances, etc.

11. For section 417A of the Companies Act, 2013, the

following section shall be substituted, namely:––

“417A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this

Act, the qualifications, manner of selection,

appointment, salaries and allowances, resignation,

removal and other conditions of service and eligibility

for reappointment of a Chairperson and Members of the

Appellate Tribunal under this Act shall be governed by

the provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.”.

Amendment of

Act 18 of 2013.

Selection,

qualifications,

conditions of

service,

allowances, etc.

12. In section 55 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019,

for sub-section (1A), the following sub-section shall be

substituted, namely:—

“(1A) Notwithstanding anything contained in this

Act, the qualifications, manner of selection,

appointment, salaries and allowances, resignation,

removal and other conditions of service and eligibility

for reappointment of a President and members of the

National Commission under this Act shall be governed

by the provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.”.

Amendment of

Act 35 of 2019.

13. In the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, in

section 44,—

(a) for sub-section (4), the following sub-section

shall be substituted, namely:—

“(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in this

Act, the qualifications, manner of selection,

appointment, salaries and allowances, resignation,

removal and other conditions of service and

eligibility for reappointment of Judicial Member and

Administrative Member of an Industrial Tribunal

under this Act shall be governed by the provisions of

the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.”;

(b) for sub-section (9), the following sub-section

shall be substituted, namely:––

“(9) If, for any reason, a vacancy (other than a

temporary absence) occurs in a National Industrial

Tribunal or the Tribunal constituted by the State

Government under sub-section (1), then, such

vacancy shall be filled up in such manner as may be

prescribed, without prejudice to sub-section (5), and

the proceeding shall be continued before such

National Industrial Tribunal or the Tribunal

constituted by the State Government, from the stage

at which the vacancy is filled.”.

Amendment of

Act 35 of 2020.

Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 1515

(1) (2)

14. In section 361 of the Income-tax Act, 2025, for

sub-section (2), the following sub-section shall be

substituted, namely:––

“(2) Irrespective of anything contained in this Act,

the qualifications, manner of selection, appointment,

salaries and allowances, resignation, removal and other

conditions of service and eligibility for reappointment

of the President, Vice-President and other Members of

the Appellate Tribunal appointed after the

commencement of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026,

shall be governed by the provisions of the said Act.”.

Amendment of

Act 30 of 2025.

16 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—

16

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS

The Central Government initiated the process of rationalisation of Tribunals

in the year 2015. Through the Finance Act, 2017, certain Tribunals were abolished

or merged and the Central Government was empowered to make rules to provide

for the appointments, tenure and qualifications of Chairpersons and Members of

various Tribunals. Subsequently, the Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and

Conditions of Service) Ordinance, 2021 was promulgated on the 4th April, 2021,

which was replaced by the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021. The said Act, inter alia,

stipulated the procedure for selection and appointment of Chairpersons and

Members of various Tribunals and provided for their uniform terms and conditions

of service.

2. The Supreme Court, in the matter of Madras Bar Association vs. Union of

India [(2026) 2 SCC 1], struck down certain provisions of the Tribunals Reforms

Act, 2021, inter alia, on the grounds that they are contrary to the principles of

separation of powers and judicial independence and not in consonance with the

earlier judicial pronouncements that have clarified the standards governing the

appointment, tenure and functioning of Chairpersons and Members of Tribunals.

Further, the Court, inter alia, directed for the establishment of a National

Tribunals Commission, which is independent, has professional expertise, and

adopts a transparent process and oversight mechanism for selection and

appointment of Chairpersons and Members of various Tribunals.

3. Accordingly, in consonance with the directions of the Supreme Court in

various judgments including Madras Bar Association vs. Union of India,

[(2026) 2 SCC 1], it is proposed to repeal the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 and

introduce the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, which, inter alia, provides for the

establishment of the National Tribunals Commission, the qualifications, manner of

selection, appointment, salaries and allowances, resignation, removal and other

conditions of service of the Chairpersons and Members of various Tribunals

specified in the First Schedule to the Bill. It is also proposed to make necessary

consequential amendments in the related enactments governing various Tribunals.

4. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.

ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL.NEW DELHI;

The 6th August, 2026.

Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 17

17

FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM

Clause 3 of the Bill provides for the establishment of a National Tribunals

Commission (the said Commission) to be headed by a former Judge of the

Supreme Court or Chief Justice of a High Court, along with two Judicial and two

Technical Members, and a Secretariat headed by an officer of the rank of

Secretary to the Government of India with required officers and staff. The Bill also

seeks for the creation of two additional posts of Level-14 (Joint Secretary Level)

for the Secretariat of the said Commission.

2. The proposal involves the creation of posts and consequent administrative

expenditure for the said Commission and its Secretariat. It is estimated that

recurring expenditure of 24.79 crore rupees and non-recurring expenditure of

2.35 crore rupees, totalling 27.14 crore rupees, per annum, is likely to be incurred.

Further, an increase of 10 per cent. in recurring expenditure in the second and

third year over the previous year, and 20 per cent. or 25 per cent. of non-recurring

expenditure earmarked for the first year, is expected.

3. In view of the above, the Bill if enacted would involve expenditure as

stated hereinabove from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India.

18 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—

18

MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION

Clause 3 of the Bill provides for establishment of a Commission to be called

the National Tribunals Commission to exercise the powers conferred upon it and

to perform the functions assigned to it under the proposed legislation.

Sub-clause (1) of clause 19 of the Bill empowers the National Tribunals

Commission to make regulations not inconsistent with the proposed legislation

and the rules made thereunder, in consultation with the Central Government.

Sub-clause (2) specifies the matters in respect of which such regulations may be

made. These matters, inter alia, include––

(a) the manner of holding and transaction of business of the

Commission at its meetings under sub-section (1) of section 9; (b) the

manner of advertisement of vacancies and processing of applications; (c) the

manner of scrutiny of applications and weightage for assessment of

candidates under the proviso to sub-section (4) of section 14; and (d) the

manner of empanelment of experts, their terms and conditions of

engagement including conflict of interest under sub-section (1) of section 15.

Sub-clause (3) of clause 19, inter alia, provides that every regulation made

by the National Tribunals Commission under the proposed legislation is required

to be laid before each House of Parliament

2. Sub-clause (1) of clause 20 of the Bill empowers the Central Government

to make rules for carrying out the provisions of the proposed legislation and to

publish the same in the Official Gazette. Sub-clause (2) specifies the matters in

respect of which such rules may be made. These matters, inter alia, include––

(a) the salaries, allowances and other terms and conditions of holding

office of the Chairperson of the Commission and the Members of the

Commission under sub-section (3) of section 5; (b) the manner of

constitution of committee and for holding inquiry under sub-section (3) of

section 6; (c) the administrative and financial powers of the Commission to

be exercised by the Secretary of the Commission under sub-section (2) of

section 8; (d) the number of officers and employees of the Secretariat and

their appointment, terms and conditions of service under sub-section (3) of

section 8; (e) the functions of the Secretariat under sub-section (4) of

section 8; (f) the form for preparing annual statement of accounts under

sub-section (1) of section 11; (g) the qualifications, manner of selection,

appointment, salaries and allowances, resignation, removal and other

conditions of service of the Chairperson and Members of Tribunals under

sub-section (1) of section 14; (h) the comprehensive procedure for

assessment of candidates under sub-section (4) of section 14; (i) the manner

of conduct of inquiry under sub-section (2) of section 16; and (j) any other

matter which is to be, or may be prescribed for carrying out the purposes of

this Act.

Sub-clause (3) of clause 20 provides that every rule made under the proposed

legislation is required to be laid before each House of Parliament.

3. The matters in respect of which regulations and rules may be made are

matters of procedure or administrative detail and it is not practicable to provide for

them in the Bill itself. The delegation of legislative power is, therefore, of a

normal character.

Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 19

5

Short title and

commencement.

BILL No. 154 OF 2026

further to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-seventh Year of the Republic of

India as follows:—

1. (1) This Act may be called the Mines and Minerals (Development and

Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026.

(2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by

notification in the Official Gazette, appoint

A Bill

Bill No. 154 of 2026

20 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—2

Amendment of

section 2.

Amendment of

section 3.

Insertion of new

section 9D.

Certain

conditions or

restrictions on

imposition of

tax, cess, etc.

Amendment of

section 13.

2. In the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957

(hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), in section 2, after the words

“regulation of mines”, the words “and mineral bearing lands” shall be inserted.

3. In section 3 of the principal Act, after clause (ad), the following clause

shall be inserted, namely:—

‘(ada) “mineral bearing land” means any land having the mineral

contents in accordance with the parameters prescribed under clause (a) of

sub-section (2) of section 5;’.

4. After section 9C of the principal Act, the following section shall be

inserted, namely:—

“9D. (1) No tax, cess or such other levy (by whatever name called)

shall be imposed by the State Government on—

(a) mineral rights; or

(b) mineral bearing lands, either based on mineral quantity or

mineral value or royalty payable or otherwise,

except in accordance with such conditions or restrictions as may be

prescribed by the Central Government.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time

being in force, or in any judgment, decree or order of any court, the

imposition of any such tax, cess or other levy by the State Government on—

(a) mineral rights; or

(b) mineral bearing lands either based on mineral quantity or

mineral value or royalty payable or otherwise,

which is not deposited with the State Government or recovered by it before

the commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and

Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, shall be deemed to be invalid at all

material times:

Provided that any such tax, cess or other levy on mineral rights or on

mineral bearing lands, already deposited with the State Government or

recovered by it before such commencement, shall not be liable to be

refunded.”.

5. In section 13 of the principal Act, in sub-section (2), after clause (t), the

following clause shall be inserted, namely:—

“(ta) the conditions or restrictions on imposition of tax, cess or such

other levy under sub-section (1) of section 9D;”.

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

67 of 1957.

Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 21

3

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS

Minerals constitute an important natural resource which are of great

geopolitical importance and are critical to infrastructure (including digital

infrastructure), manufacturing, energy security, and the overall economic

development of the country. Sustainable and uniform development of minerals

across the country is an important pillar to subserve the public interest. Hence, in

view of the larger public interest, the Union has taken under its control the

regulation of mines and the development of minerals under section 2 of the Mines

and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (the MMDR Act).

2. Mineral resources are finite and concentrated in a few States, and their

extraction and management have to be guided by long-term national goals of

sustainable, equitable and uniform development integrated into the overall strategy

of the country’s economic development. Any regional disparity in fiscal

impositions on minerals impacts public interest. Unbalanced imposition of steep

taxes and levies will prompt the industry to completely bypass local supply lines,

leading to sub-optimal development of markets, increased transportation costs and

the resultant pollution load. There is also a risk of an increase in imports of

minerals despite having sufficient local mineral resources as domestic mineral

supply becomes expensive. The uneven imposition of taxes or other levies on

mineral rights and mineral bearing lands by the State Governments in the absence

of reasonable limitations have resulted in various issues, such as—

(i) heavy tax burden in the sector;

(ii) unpredictable introduction of tax, cess and other levies, even after

commencement of mining operations;

(iii) multiple taxes, cess and other levies on production or dispatch of

minerals;

(iv) non-uniformity of rates of tax and other levies among States;

(v) imposition of tax, cess or levies with retrospective effect.

3. Excessive fiscal burden makes mining operations commercially unviable,

discourages mineral extraction, adversely affects mineral production and in some

cases, leads to closure of mines. Any additional and unpredictable costs

disproportionately may lead to adverse impact on small and medium-scale mining

operators. Multiple and inconsistent taxes hamper development of the mineral

industry and slow down economic growth resulting in cascading tax effect and

high compliance costs. An excessive tax burden at the extraction stage or

otherwise may ultimately increase the cost of goods and services and,

consequently, the cost of living for the common citizen in the country. Further,

any retrospective imposition of taxes would cause legal uncertainty and erode

investors’ trust.

4. Any fiscal burden imposed on mineral extraction should be guided by a

uniform and balanced fiscal framework across the country. The cumulative

incidence of different levies should not become disproportionate to the economic

value and profitability of the mining operations. There is also a need to ensure

certainty, stability and predictability of the fiscal regime applicable to mining. The

State has the power, coupled with the duty as a trustee of natural resources of the

nation, to advance the national interest, inter alia, by ensuring harmonised mineral

development (and consequent economic development) across the nation, rather

than creating localised pockets of mineral resource driven growth.

5. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment

Bill, 2026, inter alia, provides for the following, namely:—

22 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—4

(i) the Union will take under its control the regulation of mineral

bearing lands having the mineral contents in accordance with the parameters

prescribed by the Central Government under the MMDR Act. This is in

addition to the existing provision which declares the Union’s control over the

regulation of mines and the development of minerals;

(ii) insertion of a new section 9D in the MMDR Act which provides

that no tax, cess or such other levy (by whatever name called) shall be

imposed by the State Government on mineral rights; or mineral bearing

lands, either based on mineral quantity, mineral value, royalty or otherwise,

except in accordance with such conditions or restrictions as may be

prescribed by the Central Government. It further seeks to provide that any

such tax, cess or other levy which is not deposited with the State

Government or recovered by it before the commencement of the Mines and

Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, shall be

deemed to be invalid at all material times. However, any such tax, cess or

other levy on mineral rights or on mineral bearing lands, already deposited

with the State Government or recovered by it before such commencement,

shall not be liable to be refunded.

6. The above amendments strive to provide certainty, stability and

predictability in the fiscal regime in the mineral sector, thereby giving impetus to

national economic growth which would facilitate the aims of Atmanirbhar Bharat

and ultimately attaining the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

7. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.

NEW DELHI; G. KISHAN REDDY.

The 7th August, 2026.

Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 23

5

FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment

Bill, 2026, if enacted, would not involve any expenditure, either recurring or

non-recurring nature, from the Consolidated Fund of India.

24 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—

6

MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION

Clause 5 of the Bill seeks to amend section 13 of the Mines and Minerals

(Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 so as to empower the Central

Government to make rules for prescribing the conditions or restrictions subject to

which the State Government may impose tax, cess or such other levy on mineral

rights or on mineral bearing lands.

2. The matters in respect of which the rules may be made under the aforesaid

provision are matters of detail and it is not practicable to provide for them in the

Bill itself. The delegation of legislative power is, therefore, of a normal character.

Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 25

LOK SABHA

------

CORRIGENDUM

to

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026

[To be/As introduced in Lok Sabha]

S. No. Page No. Line No. For Read

1. 2 20 “imposition of any such

tax,”

“imposition of such

tax,”

NEW DELHI;

August 08, 2026_______

Sravana 17, 1948 (Saka)

26 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—

5

10

A Bill to alter the name of the State of Kerala.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-seventh Year of the Republic of

India as follows:—

1. (1) This Act may be called the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Act, 2026.

(2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by

notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,––

(a) “appointed day” means the date appointed under sub-section (2) of

section 1;

(b) “appropriate Government” means, as respects a law relating to a

matter enumerated in List I in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution, the

Central Government, and as respects any other law, the State Government;

Short title and

commencement.

Definitions.

BILL No. 155 OF 2026Bill No. 155 of 2026

Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 272

Alteration of

name of State of

Kerala.

Amendment of

article 31A.

Amendment of

article 290A.

Amendment of

First Schedule to

Constitution.

Amendment of

Fourth Schedule

to Constitution.

Power to adapt

laws.

Power to

construe laws.

Legal

proceedings.

(c) “law” includes any enactment, Ordinance, regulation, order, bye-law,

rule, scheme, notification or other instrument having the force of law in the

whole or any part of the State of Kerala.

3. On and from the appointed day, the State of Kerala shall be known as the

State of Keralam.

4. In article 31A of the Constitution, in clause (2), in sub-clause (a), in

item (i), for the word “Kerala”, the word “Keralam” shall be substituted.

5. In article 290A of the Constitution, for the word “Kerala”, the word

“Keralam” shall be substituted.

6. In the First Schedule to the Constitution, under the heading “I. THE

STATES”, in entry 5, under the column “Name”, for the word “Kerala”, the word

“Keralam” shall be substituted.

7. In the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution, under the heading “TABLE”, in

entry 9, in the second column, for the word “Kerala”, the word “Keralam” shall be

substituted.

8. (1) For the purpose of giving effect to the alteration of the name of the State

of Kerala by section 3, the appropriate Government may, before the expiration of

one year from the appointed day, by order, make such adaptations and modifications

of any law made before the appointed day, whether by way of repeal or amendment,

as may be necessary or expedient, and thereupon every such law shall have effect

subject to the adaptations and modifications so made.

(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall be deemed to prevent a competent

Legislature or other competent authority from repealing or amending any law

adapted or modified by the appropriate Government under the said sub-section.

9. Notwithstanding that no provision or insufficient provision has been made

under section 8 for the adaptation of a law made before the appointed day, any court,

tribunal or authority, required or empowered to enforce such law, may construe the

law in such manner, without affecting the substance, as may be necessary or proper

in regard to the matter before the court, tribunal or authority.

10. Where immediately before the appointed day any legal proceedings are

pending to which the State of Kerala is a party, the State of Keralam shall be deemed

to have been substituted for the State of Kerala in those proceedings.

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28 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—

3

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS

The Government of Kerala forwarded to the Central Government, the

resolution passed by the Legislative Assembly of Kerala on 24th June, 2024 stating,

inter alia, that necessary steps may be taken to amend the First Schedule to the

Constitution by modifying the name of State of “Kerala” as “Keralam” in

accordance with article 3 of the Constitution.

2. As required by the proviso to article 3 of the Constitution, the President

referred the Bill to the Legislature of the State of Kerala for expressing its views

thereon. The Legislative Assembly of Kerala considered the Kerala (Alteration of

Name) Bill, 2026 and adopted a unanimous Resolution agreeing with the Bill.

3. The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 provides for such alteration of

name of the State of Kerala and contains necessary amendments to the provisions

of the Constitution and also consequential provisions.

NEW DELHI; AMIT SHAH.

The 29th July, 2026.

————

PRESIDENT’S RECOMMENDATION UNDER ARTICLE 3 OF

THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

————

[Copy of letter No. 19012/01/2026-SR dated the 07.08.2026 from Shri Amit

Shah, Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation to the Secretary-General,

Lok Sabha]

The President, having been informed of the subject matter of the proposed

“Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026”, recommends the introduction of the Bill

in the Lok Sabha under article 3 of the Constitution of India.

————

Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 29

4

MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION

Clause 8 of the Bill empowers the State Government to adapt and modify

existing laws for the purpose of giving effect to the alteration of name of the State

of Kerala to Keralam by clause 3. This power will be available only for a period of

one year from the appointed day. The adaptations and modifications cannot affect

the substance of the laws adapted.

2. The delegation of legislative power is of a normal character.

30 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—

26 of 1962.

5

NATIONAL CO-OPERAVE DEVELOPMENT N (AMENDMENT

2026

further to amend the National Co-operative Development Corporation Act, 1962.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-seventh Year of the Republic of

India as follows:––

1. (1) This Act may be called the National Co-operative Development

Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2026.

(2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by

notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

2. In the National Co-operative Development Corporation Act, 1962

(hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), in section 2,––

(a) clause (aba) shall be omitted;

Short title and

commencement.

Amendment of

section 2.

BILL No. 156 OF 2026

A Bill

Bill No. 156 of 2026

Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 312

Omission of

section 2A.

Amendment of

section 3.

Amendment of

section 9.

(b) after clause (b), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:––

‘(ba) “co-operative development” means planning, promoting and

financing programmes, whether directly or through any intermediary

entity, to co-operative societies;’;

(c) in clause (c), for the words and figures “the Multi-State Co-operative

Societies Act, 1984 or under any other law with respect to co-operative

societies for the time being in force in any State”, the words and figures “the

Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 or under any other law with

respect to co-operative societies for the time being in force” shall

be substituted;

(d) in clause (da), after sub-clause (viii), the following sub-clauses shall

be inserted, namely:––

“(ix) processed food and other edible products;

(x) any other food items as may be notified by the Central

Government;”;

(e) in clause (dba), for the words “in the rural area and includes any

handicrafts or rural crafts”, the words “including any handicrafts or other

crafts” shall be substituted;

(f) after clause (dd), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:––

‘(de) “notification” means a notification published in the Official

Gazette and the expression “notify” or “notified” shall be construed

accordingly;’.

3. Section 2A of the principal Act shall be omitted.

4. In section 3 of the principal Act, in sub-section (4), clause (vii) shall

be omitted.

5. In section 9 of the principal Act,––

(a) in sub-section (1),––

(i) for the words “, through co-operative societies”, the words “for

co-operative development” shall be substituted;

(ii) in clause (a), for the words “and notified commodities”, the

words “, notified commodities and industrial goods” shall be

substituted;

(b) in sub-section (2),––

(i) for clause (b), the following clause shall be substituted,

namely:––

“(b) provide funds to State Governments for financing

co-operative societies or any entity engaged in co-operative

development, for the purchase of agricultural produce, foodstuffs,

livestock, poultry feed, industrial goods, notified commodities and

notified services on behalf of the Central Government, to the extent

such funds are used for co-operative societies;”;

(ii) after clause (d), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:––

“(da) provide loans and grants directly to co-operative

societies or any entity engaged in co-operative development to the

extent such funds are used for co-operative societies, subject to

furnishing security, as may be required by the Corporation;”;

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51 of 1984.

39 of 2002.

32 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—3

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15

20

(iii) after clause (f), the following clause shall be inserted,

namely:––

“(g) with the approval of the Central Government, participate

in the share capital of co-operative societies other than a

co-operative society referred to in clause (f), or any entity engaged

in co-operative development.”;

(c) after sub-section (3), the following sub-section shall be inserted,

namely:––

“(4) The entity engaged in co-operative development shall be such

as may be determined by the Board.”.

6. After section 9 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted,

namely:––

“9A. The Corporation may do all such things as may be necessary or

incidental to or consequential upon the exercise of its powers, discharge of its

functions and the performance of its duties, under this Act, or under any other

law for the time being in force.”.

7. After section 13 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted,

namely:––

“13A. The Corporation may, for the purpose of the efficient discharge of

its functions under this Act, collect from or furnish to the Central Government,

the Reserve Bank or any banking company or such other financial institution

as may be notified by the Central Government in this behalf, credit

information or other information.”.

Insertion of

new section 9A.

Incidental

powers.

Insertion of

new section

13A.

Credit

information.

Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 33

4

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS

The National Co-operative Development Corporation Act, 1962 was enacted

to provide for the incorporation and regulation of the National Co-operative

Development Corporation for planning, and promoting programmes, through

co-operative societies, for the production, processing, marketing, storage, export

and import of agricultural produce, foodstuffs, industrial goods, livestock and

certain other commodities and services and for matters connected therewith.

2. The Act was amended in the years 1973, 1974 and 2002 to diversify the

sources of funds of the Corporation, expand the scope of its activities, enable direct

financing of eligible co-operative societies and include notified services within its

mandate. The statutory framework continues to envisage financial assistance either

through State Governments or directly to registered co-operative societies.

3. The co-operative sector has expanded and diversified considerably in recent

years. Statutory bodies, State Government agencies and other specialised entities

are increasingly engaged in providing infrastructure, technology, processing,

marketing, financial and other services for the development of co-operatives. Since

such entities may not be registered as co-operative societies, the Corporation is

presently unable to finance them directly, even where their activities are intended to

benefit the co-operative sector. Consequently, such proposals are required to be

routed through State Governments or co-operative societies, resulting in procedural

delays and limited uptake.

4. The establishment of a separate Ministry of Cooperation in July, 2021 and

the initiatives undertaken by the Central Government in furtherance of the vision of

“Sahakar se Samriddhi” have substantially enhanced the role of the Corporation in

co-operative development.

5. In view of the expanding requirements of the co-operative sector, it is

considered necessary to broaden the mandate of the Corporation from planning and

promoting programmes through co-operative societies to plan and promote

programmes for co-operative development. It is proposed to enable the Corporation

to provide loans and grants directly to co-operative societies or any entity engaged

in co-operative development to the extent such funds are used for co-operative

societies, subject to furnishing security as may be required by the Corporation. The

National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, provides

for the Corporation to participate in the share capital of any co-operatives or any

entity engaged in co-operative development, with the approval of the Central

Government. The co-operative societies shall continue to remain the primary

beneficiaries, while the proposed Bill widens the institutional channels through

which assistance may reach and strengthen the co-operative sector.

6. Further, the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment)

Bill, 2026, inter alia, provides for the following, namely:—

(a) to expand the definition of “foodstuffs” to include any other food

items as may be notified by the Central Government;

(b) to remove the geographical restriction applicable to industrial goods

so as to enable assistance for such activities irrespective of their location;

(c) to update certain statutory references and omit obsolete provisions

relating to institutions and frameworks which are no longer in existence;

(d) to confer upon the Corporation such incidental powers as may be

necessary for the effective discharge of its functions;

(e) to enable the Corporation to collect and furnish credit information or

other information to specified authorities and financial institutions for the

efficient discharge of its functions; and

34 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—5

(f) to enable greater flexibility and legal clarity to the Corporation,

facilitate timely and direct financial assistance for co-operative development

and to respond effectively to the emerging and diversified requirements of the

co-operative sector.

7. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.

NEW DELHI; AMIT SHAH.

The 7th August, 2026.

Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 35

6

FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM

The National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment)

Bill, 2026, if enacted would not involve any expenditure either recurring or

non-recurring from the Consolidated Fund of India.

————

UTPAL KUMAR SINGH

Secretary General

UPLOADED BY THE MANAGER, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA PRESS, MINTO ROAD, NEW DELHI–110002

AND PUBLISHED BY THE CONTROLLER OF PUBLICATIONS, DELHI–110054.

MGIPMRND—500GI(S4)—10-08-2026.

UTPAL KUMAR SINGH,

Secretary-General.