GS Paper II · Executive & Judiciary
Tribunals Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper II)
From the syllabus: Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions; structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary; pressure groups
Why it matters: Examiners evaluate the specialized expertise and workload reduction offered by these quasi-judicial bodies against concerns regarding their independence.
In the news
October 2026
06 Oct 2026
Vacant tribunals delay West Bengal bypolls voter appealsAround 19,000 voters in West Bengal may miss upcoming bypolls as their appeals remain pending before state appellate tribunals. Out of the 19 tribunals established by the Election Commission, only 16 are functional due to the...
03 Oct 2026
Rules framed for National Tribunals Commission appointmentsThe Union Law Ministry has framed rules to standardise the appointment process for chairpersons and members across 16 tribunals and appellate bodies. Under the new framework, the newly proposed National Tribunals Commission will oversee...
August 2026
16 Aug 2026
Tribunal Reforms Bill 2026 Sparks Constitutional DebateThe Tribunal Reforms Bill 2026 has drawn criticism from legal experts who argue that it grants excessive powers to the executive. Specifically, provisions allowing the government to remove tribunal members without robust judicial...
Practise Tribunals
2 of our latest questions on this topic.
Question 1 of 2
With reference to Tribunals in India, consider the following statements: 1. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act introduced Part XIV-A to the Constitution, which deals with Tribunals. 2. Article 323B empowers Parliament and State Legislatures to establish tribunals for matters like tax, foreign exchange, and labor. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Mains practice
The Tribunal Reforms Bill 2026 has raised concerns regarding the institutional autonomy of quasi-judicial bodies in India. Discuss how executive control over the appointment and removal of tribunal members challenges the principle of separation of powers, and suggest reforms to secure their independence.
15 marks
Previous years' questions
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