THE TRIBUNALS REFORMS ACT, 2021 
_______________ 

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 

Last Updated: 20-9-2021 
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CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

SECTIONS 

1.  Short title and commencement  
2.  Definitions. 

CHAPTER II 

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF TRIBUNAL 

3.  Qualifications, appointment, etc., of Chairperson and Members of Tribunal. 

4.  Removal of Chairperson or Member of Tribunal. 

5.  Term of office of Chairperson and Member of Tribunal. 

6.  Eligibility for re-appointment. 

7.  Salary and allowances. 

CHAPTER III 

AMENDMENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES ACT, 1947 

8.  Amendment of Act 14 of 1947. 

CHAPTER IV 

AMENDMENTS TO THE CINEMATOGRAPH ACT, 1952 

9.  Amendment of Act 37 of 1952. 

CHAPTER V 

AMENDMENTS TO THE COPYRIGHT ACT, 1957 

10.  Amendment of Act 14 of 1957. 

CHAPTER VI 
AMENDMENT TO THE INCOME-TAX ACT, 1961 

11.  Amendment of Act 43 of 1961. 

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CHAPTER VII 
AMENDMENTS TO THE CUSTOMS ACT, 1962 

SECTIONS 

12.  Amendment of Act 52 of 1962. 

CHAPTER VIII 
AMENDMENTS TO THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 

13.  Amendment of Act 39 of 1970. 

CHAPTER IX 

AMENDMENT TO THE SMUGGLERS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE MANIPULATORS (FORFEITURE OF 
PROPERTY) ACT, 1976 

14.  Amendment of Act 13 of 1976. 

CHAPTER X 

AMENDMENT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS ACT, 1985 

15.  Amendment of Act 13 of 1985. 

CHAPTER XI 

AMENDMENT TO THE RAILWAY CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ACT, 1987 

16.  Amendment of Act 54 of 1987. 

CHAPTER XII 

AMENDMENT TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA ACT, 1992 

17.  Amendment of Act 15 of 1992. 

CHAPTER XIII 
AMENDMENT TO THE RECOVERY OF DEBTS AND BANKRUPTCY ACT, 1993 

18.  Amendment of Act 51 of 1993. 

CHAPTER XIV 
AMENDMENTS TO THE AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA ACT, 1994 

19.  Amendment of Act 55 of 1994. 

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CHAPTER XV 
AMENDMENT TO THE TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA ACT, 1997 

SECTIONS 

20.  Amendment of Act 24 of 1997. 

CHAPTER XVI 

AMENDMENTS TO THE TRADE MARKS ACT, 1999 

21.  Amendment of Act 47 of 1999. 

CHAPTER XVII 
AMENDMENTS TO THE GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS OF GOODS (REGISTRATION AND PROTECTION)  
ACT, 1999 

22.  Amendment of Act 48 of 1999. 

CHAPTER XVIII 

AMENDMENTS TO THE PROTECTION OF PLANT VARIETIES AND FARMERS’ RIGHTS ACT, 2001 

23.  Amendment of Act 53 of 2001. 

CHAPTER XIX 

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONTROL OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS (LAND AND TRAFFIC) ACT, 2002 

24.  Amendment of Act 13 of 2003. 

CHAPTER XX 
AMENDMENT TO THE ELECTRICITY ACT, 2003 

25.  Amendment of Act 36 of 2003. 

CHAPTER XXI 

AMENDMENT TO THE ARMED FORCE TRIBUNAL ACT, 2007 

26.  Amendment of Act 55 of 2007. 

CHAPTER XXII 

AMENDMENT TO THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL ACT, 2010 

27.  Amendment of Act 19 of 2010. 

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CHAPTER XXIII 
AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013 

SECTIONS 

28.  Amendment of Act 18 of 2013. 

CHAPTER XXIV 
AMENDMENT TO THE FINANCE ACT, 2017 

29.  Amendment of Act 7 of 2017. 

CHAPTER XXV 
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 2019 

30.  Amendment of Act 35 of 2019. 

CHAPTER XXVI 
MISCELLANEOUS 

31.  Power to amend the Schedule. 

32.  Rules to be laid before Parliament. 

33.  Transitional provisions. 

34.  Power to remove difficulties. 

35.  Repeal and saving. 

       THE FIRST SCHEDULE 
       THE SECOND SCHEDULE 

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THE TRIBUNALS REFORMS ACT, 2021 

ACT NO. 33 OF 2021 

An  Act  further  to  amend  the  Cinematograph  Act,  1952,  the  Customs  Act,  1962,  the  Airports 
Authority  of  India  Act,  1994,  the  Trade  Marks  Act,  1999  and  the  Protection  of  Plant 
Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001 and certain other Acts.  

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-second Year of the Republic of India as follows:—  

[13th August, 2021.]  

CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

1. Short title and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021.  

(2) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 4th April, 2021. 

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

(a) “Chairperson” includes Chairperson, Chairman, President and Presiding Officer of a Tribunal; 

(b)  “Member”  includes  Vice-Chairman,  Vice-Chairperson,  Vice-President,  Account  Member, 
Administrative  Member,  Judicial  Member,  Expert  Member,  Law  Member,  Revenue  Member  and 
Technical Member of a Tribunal; 

(c) “notified date” means the 4th April, 2021; 

(d) “Schedule” means the Schedule appended to this Act; 

(e) “Tribunal” means a Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal or Authority as specified in column (2) of 

the First Schedule. 

CHAPTER II 

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF TRIBUNAL 

3.  Qualifications,  appointment,  etc.,  of  Chairperson  and  Members  of  Tribunal.—(1) 
Notwithstanding anything contained in any judgment, order or decree of any court, or in any law for the 
time being in force, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to 
provide  for  the  qualifications,  appointment,  salaries  and  allowances,  resignation,  removal  and  other 
conditions  of  service  of  the  Chairperson  and  Member  of  a  Tribunal  after  taking  into  consideration  the 
experience, specialisation in the relevant field and the provisions of this Act: 

Provided  that  a  person  who  has  not  completed  the  age  of  fifty  years  shall  not  be  eligible  for 

appointment as a Chairperson or Member. 

(2) The Chairperson and the Member of a Tribunal shall be appointed by the Central Government on 
the  recommendation  of  a  Search-cum-Selection  Committee  constituted  under  sub-section  (3),  in  such 
manner as the Central Government may, by rules, provide. 

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(3) The Search-cum-Selection Committee, except for the State Administrative Tribunal, shall consist 

of— 

(a) a Chairperson, who shall be the Chief Justice of India or a Judge of Supreme Court nominated 

by him; 

(b)  two  Members,  who  are  Secretaries  to  the  Government  of  India  to  be  nominated  by  that 

Government; 

(c) one Member, who — 

(i) in case of appointment of a Chairperson of a Tribunal, shall be the outgoing Chairperson 

of that Tribunal; or 

(ii) in case of appointment of a Member of a Tribunal, shall be the sitting Chairperson of that 

Tribunal; or 

(iii)  in  case  of  the  Chairperson  of  the  Tribunal  seeking  re-appointment,  shall  be  a  retired 
Judge of the Supreme Court or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court, to be nominated by the 
Chief Justice of India: 

Provided  that  in  the  following  cases,  such  Member  shall  always  be  a  retired  Judge  of  the 
Supreme Court or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court, to be nominated by the Chief Justice of 
India, namely:— 

(i)  Industrial  Tribunal  constituted  by  the  Central  Government  under  the  Industrial 

Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947); 

(ii) Debt Recovery Tribunal and Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal established under the 

Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (51 of 1993); 

(iii) where the Chairperson or the outgoing Chairperson, as the case may be, of a Tribunal 
is  not  a  retired  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  or  a  retired  Chief  Justice  or  Judge  of  a  High 
Court; and 

(iv) such other Tribunals as may be notified by the Central Government, in consultation 

with the Chairperson of the Search-cum Selection Committee of that Tribunal; and 

(d)  the  Secretary  to  the  Government  of  India  in  the  Ministry  or  Department  under  which  the 

Tribunal is constituted or established—Member-Secretary: 

Provided  that  the  Search-cum-Selection  Committee  for  a  State  Administrative  Tribunal  shall 

consist of— 

(a) the Chief Justice of the High Court of the concerned State—Chairman; 

(b) the Chief Secretary of the concerned State Government—Member; 

(c) the Chairman of the Public Service Commission of the concerned State—Member; 

(d) one Member, who— 

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(i) in case of appointment of a Chairman of the Tribunal, shall be the outgoing Chairman 

of the Tribunal; or 

(ii) in case of appointment of a Member of the Tribunal, shall be the sitting Chairman of 

the Tribunal; or 

(iii)  in  case  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Tribunal  seeking  re-appointment,  shall  be  a  retired 
Judge  of  a  High  Court  nominated  by  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  High  Court  of  the  concerned 
State: 

Provided that such Member shall always be a retired Judge of a High Court nominated by the 
Chief  Justice  of  the  High  Court  of  the  concerned  State,  if  the  Chairperson  or  the  outgoing 
Chairperson of the State Administrative Tribunal, as the case may be, is not a retired Chief Justice 
or Judge of a High Court; 

(e)  the  Secretary  or  the  Principal  Secretary  of  the  General  Administrative  Department  of  the 

concerned State—Member-Secretary. 

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

(5) The Member-Secretary of the Search-cum-Selection Committee shall not have any vote. 

(6)  The  Search-cum-Selection  Committee  shall  determine  the  procedure  for  making  its 

recommendations. 

(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in any judgment, order or decree of any court, or in any 
law for the time being in force, the Search-cum-Selection Committee shall recommend a panel of two 
names  for  appointment to the post  of  Chairperson  or  Member, as  the  case  may  be,  and  the  Central 
Government  shall  take  a  decision  on  the  recommendations  made  by  that  Committee,  preferably 
within three months from the date of such recommendation. 

(8) No appointment shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy or absence of a Member in 

the Search-cum-Selection Committee. 

4.  Removal  of  Chairperson  or  Member  of  Tribunal.—The  Central  Government  shall,  on  the 
recommendation of the Committee, remove from office, in such manner as may be provided by rules, any 
Chairperson or a Member, who— 

(a) 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; or 

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

such Chairperson or Member; or 

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

interest: 

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Provided that where the Chairperson or Member is proposed to be removed on any ground specified 
in clauses (c) to (e), he shall be informed of the charges against him and given an opportunity of being 
heard in respect of those charges. 

5. Term of office of Chairperson and Member of Tribunal.—Notwithstanding anything contained 

in any judgment, order or decree of any court, or in any law for the time being in force,— 

(i) the Chairperson of a Tribunal shall hold office for a term of four years or till he attains the age 

of seventy years, whichever is earlier; 

(ii) the Member of a Tribunal shall hold office for a term of four years or till he attains the age of 

sixty-seven years, whichever is earlier:  

Provided that where a Chairperson or Member is appointed between the 26th day of May, 2017 and 
the notified date, and the term of his office or the age of retirement specified in the order of appointment 
issued  by  the  Central  Government  is  greater  than  that  which  is  specified  in  this  section,  then, 
notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the term of office or age of retirement or both, as the 
case may be, of the Chairperson or Member shall be as specified in his order of appointment, subject to a 
maximum term of office of five years. 

6. Eligibility for re-appointment.—(1) The Chairperson and Member of a Tribunal shall be eligible 

for re-appointment in accordance with the provisions of this Act: 

Provided that, in  making  such re-appointment, preference shall  be  given  to the service  rendered  by 

such person. 

(2) All re-appointments shall be made in the same manner as provided in sub-section (2) of section 3. 

7.  Salary  and  allowances.—(1)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  any  judgment,  order  or 
decree of any court, or in any law for the time being in force, and without prejudice to the generality of 
the foregoing power, the Central Government may make rules to provide for the salary of the Chairperson 
and Member of a Tribunal and they shall be paid allowances and benefits to the extent as are admissible 
to a Central Government officer holding the post carrying the same pay: 

Provided that, if the Chairperson or Member takes a house on rent, he may be reimbursed a house rent 
higher than the house rent allowance as are admissible to a Central Government officer holding the post 
carrying the same pay, subject to such limitations and conditions as may be provided by rules. 

(2) Neither the salary and allowances nor the other terms and conditions of service of the Chairperson 

or Member of the Tribunal may be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment. 

CHAPTER III 

AMENDMENT TO THE INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES ACT, 1947 

8. Amendment of Act 14 of 1947.—In section 7D of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, for the words 
and figures “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), be governed by the provisions 
of the section 184 of that Act”, the words and figures “the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, be governed by 
the provisions of Chapter II of the said Act” shall be substituted. 

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CHAPTER IV 

AMENDMENTS TO THE CINEMATOGRAPH ACT, 1952 

9. Amendment of Act 37 of 1952.—In the Cinematograph Act, 1952,— 

(a) in section 2, clause (h) shall be omitted; 

(b) in section 5C,— 

(i) for the word “Tribunal”, at both the places where it occurs, the words “High Court” shall 

be substituted; 

(ii) sub-section (2) shall be omitted; 

(c) sections 5D and 5DD shall be omitted; 

(d) in section 6, the words and brackets “or, as the case may be, decided by the Tribunal (but not 
including any proceeding in respect of any matter which is pending before the Tribunal)” shall be 
omitted; 

(e) in sections 7A and 7C, for the word “Tribunal”, wherever it occurs, the words “High Court” 

shall be substituted; 

(f) in sections 7D, 7E and 7F, the words “the Tribunal,”, wherever they occur, shall be omitted; 

(g) in section 8, in sub-section (2), clauses (h), (i), (j) and (k) shall be omitted. 

CHAPTER V 

AMENDMENTS TO THE COPYRIGHT ACT, 1957 

10. Amendment of Act 14 of 1957.—In the Copyright Act, 1957,— 

(a) in section 2,— 

(i) clause (aa) shall be omitted; 

(ii) clause (fa) shall be re-lettered as clause (faa) and before the clause (faa) as so re-lettered, 

the following clause shall be inserted, namely:— 

'(fa)  “Commercial  Court”,  for  the  purposes  of  any  State,  means  a  Commercial  Court 
constituted  under  section  3,  or  the  Commercial  Division  of  a  High  Court  constituted  under 
section 4, of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 (4 of 2016);'; 

(iii) for clause (u), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:— 

'(u) “prescribed” means,— 

(i) in relation  to  proceedings  before a  High  Court,  prescribed  by  rules  made by  the 

High Court; and 

(ii) in other cases, prescribed by rules made under this Act;'; 

(b) in section 6,— 

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(i)  for  the  words  “Appellate  Board”,  wherever  they  occur,  the  words  “Commercial  Court” 

shall be substituted; 

(ii) the words and figures “constituted under section 11 whose decision thereon shall be final” 

shall be omitted; 

(c)  in  Chapter  II,  in  the  Chapter  heading,  the  words  “AND  APPELLATE  BOARD”  shall  be 

omitted; 

(d) sections 11 and 12 shall be omitted; 

(e)  in  sections  19A,  23,  31,  31A,  31B,  31C,  31D,  32,  32A  and  33A,  for  the  words  “Appellate 

Board”, wherever they occur, the words “Commercial Court” shall be substituted; 

(f) in section 50, for the words “Appellate Board”, wherever they occur, the words “High Court” 

shall be substituted; 

(g) in section 53A,— 

(i)  for  the  words  “Appellate  Board”,  wherever  they  occur,  the  words  “Commercial  Court” 

shall be substituted; 

(ii) in sub-section (2), the words “and the decision of the Appellate Board in this behalf shall 

be final” shall be omitted; 

(h)  in  section  54,  for  the  words  “Appellate  Board”,  the  words  “Commercial  Court”  shall  be 

substituted; 

(i) for section 72, the following section shall be substituted, namely:— 

72. Appeals against orders of Registrar of Copyrights.—(1) Any person aggrieved by any 
final decision or order of the Registrar of Copyrights may, within three months from the date of 
the order or decision, appeal to the High Court. 

(2) Every such appeal shall be heard by a single Judge of the High Court: 

Provided  that  any  such  Judge  may,  if  he  so  thinks  fit,  refer  the  appeal  at  any  stage  of  the 

proceeding to a Bench of the High Court. 

(3) Where an appeal is heard by a single Judge, a further appeal shall lie to a Bench of the 

High Court within three months from the date of decision or order of the single Judge. 

(4)  In  calculating  the  period  of  three  months  provided  for an  appeal  under  this section, the 
time taken in granting a certified copy of the order or record of the decision appealed against shall 
be excluded.”; 

(j)  in  sections  74  and  75,  the  words  “and  the  Appellate  Board”,  wherever  they  occur,  shall  be 

omitted; 

(k) in section 77, the words “and every member of the Appellate Board” shall be omitted; 

(l) in section 78, in sub-section (2),— 

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(i) clauses (cA) and (ccB) shall be omitted; 

(ii) in clause (f), the words “and the Appellate Board” shall be omitted. 

CHAPTER VI  

AMENDMENT TO THE INCOME-TAX ACT, 1961 

11. Amendment of Act 43 of 1961.—In section 252A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, for the words and 
figures “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall be governed by the provisions 
of  the  section  184  of  that  Act”,  the  words  and  figures  “the  Tribunals  Reforms  Act,  2021,  shall  be 
governed by the provisions of Chapter II of the said Act” shall be substituted. 

CHAPTER VII 

AMENDMENTS TO THE CUSTOMS ACT, 1962 

12. Amendment of Act 52 of 1962.—In the Customs Act, 1962,— 

(a) in section 28E, clauses (ba), (f) and (g) shall be omitted; 

(b) in section 28EA, the proviso shall be omitted; 

(c) in section 28F, sub-section (1) shall be omitted; 

(d) in section 28KA,— 

(i)  in  sub-section  (1),  for  the  words  “Appellate  Authority”,  at  both  the  places  where  they 

occur, the words “High Court” shall be substituted; 

(ii) sub-section (2) shall be omitted; 

(e) in section 28L, the words “or Appellate Authority”, wherever they occur, shall be omitted; 

(f) in section 28M,— 

(i) in the marginal heading, the words “and Appellate Authority” shall be omitted; 

(ii) sub-section (2) shall be omitted; 

(g) in section 129, in sub-section (7), for the words and figures “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the 
Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall be governed by the provisions of the section 184 of that Act”, the 
words and figures “the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter 
II of the said Act” shall be substituted. 

CHAPTER VIII 

AMENDMENTS TO THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 

13. Amendment of Act 39 of 1970.—In the Patents Act, 1970,— 

(a) in section 2, in sub-section (1),— 

(i) clause (a) shall be omitted; 

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(ii) in clause (u), sub-clause (B) shall be omitted; 

(b) in section 52, the words “Appellate Board or”, wherever they occur, shall be omitted; 

(c) in section 58,— 

(i) the words “the Appellate Board or”, wherever they occur, shall be omitted; 

(ii) the words “as the case may be” shall be omitted; 

(d) in section 59, the words “the Appellate Board or” shall be omitted; 

(e) in section 64, in sub-section (1), the words “by the Appellate Board” shall be omitted; 

(f) in section 71, for the words “Appellate Board” and “Board”, wherever they occur, the words 

“High Court” shall be substituted; 

(g) in section 76, the words “or Appellate Board” shall be omitted; 

(h) in section 113,— 

(i) in sub-section (1),— 

(A) the words “the Appellate Board or”, wherever they occur, shall be omitted; 

(B) the words “as the case may be” shall be omitted; 

(ii) in sub-section (3), the words “or the Appellate Board” shall be omitted; 

(i)  in  Chapter  XIX,  for  the  Chapter  heading,  the  Chapter  heading  “APPEALS”  shall  be 

substituted; 

(j) sections 116 and 117 shall be omitted; 

(k)  in  section  117A,  for  the  words  “Appellate  Board”,  wherever  they  occur,  the  words  “High 

Court” shall be substituted; 

(l) sections 117B, 117C and 117D shall be omitted; 

(m)  in  section  117E,  for  the  words  “Appellate  Board”,  wherever  they  occur,  the  words  “High 

Court” shall be substituted; 

(n) sections 117F, 117G and 117H shall be omitted; 

(o) in section 151,— 

(i)  in  sub-section  (1),  the  words  “or  the  Appellate  Board”,  at  both  the  places  where  they 

occur, shall be omitted; 

(ii) in sub-section (3), for the words “the Appellate Board or the courts, as the case may be”, 

the words “the courts” shall be substituted; 

(p) in section 159, in sub-section (2), clauses (xiia), (xiib) and (xiic) shall be omitted. 

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CHAPTER IX 

AMENDMENT TO THE SMUGGLERS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE MANIPULATORS (FORFEITURE OF PROPERTY) 
ACT, 1976 

14.  Amendment  of  Act  13  of  1976.—In  section  12A  of  the  Smugglers  and  Foreign  Exchange 
Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act, 1976, for the words and figures “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the 
Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall be governed by the provisions of the section 184 of that Act”, the 
words and figures “the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter II of 
the said Act” shall be substituted. 

CHAPTER X 

AMENDMENT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS ACT, 1985 

15. Amendment of Act 13 of 1985.—In section 10B of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, for 
the words and figures “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall be governed by 
the provisions of the section 184 of that Act”, the words and figures “the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, 
shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter II of the said Act” shall be substituted. 

CHAPTER XI 

AMENDMENT TO THE RAILWAY CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ACT, 1987 

16. Amendment of Act 54 of 1987.—In section 9A of the Railway Claims Tribunal Act, 1987, for 
the words and figures “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall be governed by 
the provisions of the section 184 of that Act”, the words and figures “the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, 
shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter II of the said Act” shall be substituted. 

CHAPTER XII 

AMENDMENT TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA ACT, 1992 

17. Amendment of Act 15 of 1992.—In section 15QA of the Securities and Exchange Board of India 
Act, 1992, for the words and figures “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall 
be  governed  by  the  provisions  of  the  section  184  of  that  Act”,  the  words  and  figures  “the  Tribunals 
Reforms Act, 2021, shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter II of the said Act” shall be substituted. 

CHAPTER XIII 

AMENDMENT TO THE RECOVERY OF DEBTS AND BANKRUPTCY ACT, 1993 

18. Amendment of Act 51 of 1993.—In the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993,— 

(a) in section 6A, for the words and figures  “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the Finance Act, 2017  
(7 of 2017), shall be governed by the provisions of the section 184 of that Act”, the words and figures 
“the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter II of the said Act” 
shall be substituted; 

(b) in section 15A, for the words and figures “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the Finance Act, 2017  
(7 of 2017), shall be governed by the provisions of the section 184 of that Act”, the words and figures 

13 

 
“the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter II of the said Act” 
shall be substituted. 

CHAPTER XIV 

AMENDMENTS TO THE AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA ACT, 1994 

19. Amendment of Act 55 of 1994.—In the Airports Authority of India Act, 1994,— 

(a) in section 28A, clause (e) shall be omitted; 

(b) in section 28E, for the word “Tribunal”, at both the places where it occurs, the words “Central 

Government” shall be substituted; 

(c) sections 28-I, 28J and 28JA shall be omitted; 

(d) in section 28K,— 

(i) in sub-section (1),— 

(A) for the words “Tribunal in such form as may be prescribed”, the words “High Court” 

shall be substituted; 

(B) in the proviso, for the word “Tribunal”, the words “High Court” shall be substituted; 

(ii) sub-sections (2), (3), (4) and (5) shall be omitted; 

(e) section 28L shall be omitted; 

(f) in section 28M, the words “or the Tribunal” shall be omitted; 

(g) in section 28N, in sub-section (2), for the word “Tribunal”, the words “High Court” shall be 

substituted; 

(h) in section 33, the words “or the Chairperson of the Tribunal” shall be omitted; 

(i) in section 41, in sub-section (2), clauses (gvi), (gvii), (gviii) and (gix) shall be omitted. 

CHAPTER XV 

AMENDMENT TO THE TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA ACT, 1997 

20. Amendment of Act 24 of 1997.—In section 14GA of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India 
Act, 1997, for the words and figures “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall 
be governed by the provisions of section 184 of that Act”, the words and figures “the Tribunals Reforms 
Act, 2021, shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter II of the said Act” shall be substituted. 

CHAPTER XVI 

AMENDMENTS TO THE TRADE MARKS ACT, 1999 

21. Amendment of Act 47 of 1999.—In the Trade Marks Act, 1999,— 

(a) in section 2, in sub-section (1),— 

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(i) clauses (a), (d), (f), (k), (n), (ze) and (zf) shall be omitted; 

(ii) for clause (s), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:— 

'(s) “prescribed” means,— 

(i) in relation  to  proceedings  before a  High  Court,  prescribed  by  rules  made by  the 

High Court; and 

(ii) in other cases, prescribed by rules made under this Act;'; 

(b) in section 10, for the word “tribunal”, the words “Registrar or the High Court, as the case may 

be,” shall be substituted; 

(c) in section 26, for the word “tribunal”, the words “Registrar or the High Court, as the case may 

be,” shall be substituted; 

(d)  in  section  46,  in  sub-section  (3),  for  the  word  “tribunal”,  the  words  “Registrar  or  the  High 

Court, as the case may be,” shall be substituted; 

(e) in section 47,— 

(i) for the  words  “Appellate  Board”, at  both  the  places  where  they  occur,  the words  “High 

Court” shall be substituted; 

(ii) for the word “tribunal”, wherever it occurs, the words “Registrar or the High Court, as the 

case may be,” shall be substituted; 

(f)  in  section  55,  in  sub-section  (1),  for  the  word  “tribunal”,  the  words  “Registrar  or  the  High 

Court, as the case may be,” shall be substituted; 

(g) in section 57,— 

(i) for the words “Appellate Board”, wherever they occur, the words  “High Court” shall be 

substituted; 

(ii) for the word “tribunal”, wherever it occurs, the words “Registrar or the High Court, as the 

case may be,” shall be substituted; 

(h)  in  section  71,  in  sub-section  (3),  for  the  word  “tribunal”,  the  words  “Registrar  or  the  High 

Court, as the case may be,” shall be substituted; 

(i) in Chapter XI, for the Chapter heading, the Chapter heading “APPEALS” shall be substituted; 

(j) sections 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 89A and 90 shall be omitted; 

(k) in section 91, for the words “Appellate Board”, wherever they occur, the words “High Court” 

shall be substituted; 

(l) sections 92 and 93 shall be omitted; 

(m) for section 94, the following section shall be substituted, namely:— 

15 

 
“94.  Bar  to  appear  before  Registrar.—On  ceasing  to  hold  the  office,  the  erstwhile 

Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or other Members shall not appear before the Registrar.”; 

(n) sections 95 and 96 shall be omitted; 

(o) in section 97, for the words “Appellate Board”, wherever they occur, the words “High Court” 

shall be substituted; 

(p) in section 98, for the words  “Appellate Board” or “Board”, wherever they occur, the words 

“High Court” shall be substituted; 

(q) sections 99 and 100 shall be omitted; 

(r) in section 113,— 

(i) for the  words  “Appellate  Board”, at  both  the  places  where  they  occur,  the words  “High 

Court” shall be substituted; 

(ii) for the word “tribunal”, the words “Registrar or the High Court, as the case may be,” shall 

be substituted; 

(s) in section 123, the words “and every Member of the Appellate Board” shall be omitted; 

(t)  in  sections  124  and  125,  for  the  words  “Appellate  Board”,  wherever  they  occur,  the  words 

“High Court” shall be substituted; 

(u) in section 130, the words “the Appellate Board or” shall be omitted; 

(v)  in  section  141,  for  the  words  “Appellate  Board”,  at  both  the  places  where  they  occur,  the 

words “High Court” shall be substituted; 

(w) in section 144, for the word “tribunal”, the words “Registrar or the High Court, as the case 

may be,” shall be substituted; 

(x) in section 157, in sub-section (2),— 

(i) clauses (xxxi) and (xxxii) shall be omitted; 

(ii)  in  clause  (xxxiii),  for  the  words  “Appellate  Board”,  the  words  “High  Court”  shall  be 

substituted. 

CHAPTER XVII 

AMENDMENTS TO THE GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS OF GOODS (REGISTRATION AND PROTECTION)  
ACT, 1999 

22.  Amendment  of  Act  48  of  1999.—In  the  Geographical  Indications  of  Goods  (Registration  and 

Protection) Act, 1999,— 

(a) in section 2, in sub-section (1), clauses (a) and (p) shall be omitted; 

(b) in section 19, for the word “tribunal”, the words “Registrar or the High Court, as the case may 

be,” shall be substituted; 

16 

 
(c) in section 23, for the words “and before the Appellate Board before which”, the words “before 

whom” shall be substituted; 

(d) in section 27,— 

(i) for the words “Appellate Board”, wherever they occur, the words  “High Court” shall be 

substituted; 

(ii) for the word “tribunal”, wherever it occurs, the words “Registrar or the High Court, as the 

case may be,” shall be substituted; 

(e)  in  Chapter  VII,  for  the  Chapter  heading,  the  Chapter  heading  “APPEALS”  shall  be 

substituted; 

(f) in section 31,— 

(i) for the words “Appellate Board”, wherever they occur, the words  “High Court” shall be 

substituted; 

(ii) sub-section (3) shall be omitted; 

(g) sections 32 and 33 shall be omitted; 

(h) in sections 34 and 35, for the words “Appellate Board”, wherever they occur, the words “High 

Court” shall be substituted; 

(i) section 36 shall be omitted; 

(j) in section 48,— 

(i) for the  words  “Appellate  Board”, at  both  the  places  where  they  occur,  the words  “High 

Court” shall be substituted; 

(ii) for the word “tribunal”, the words “Registrar or the High Court, as the case may be,” shall 

be substituted; 

(k) in sections 57 and 58, for the words “Appellate Board”, wherever they occur, the words “High 

Court” shall be substituted; 

(l) in section 63, the words “the Appellate Board or” shall be omitted; 

(m) in section 72, for the words “Appellate Board”, wherever they occur, the words “High Court” 

shall be substituted; 

(n) in section 75, for the word “tribunal”, the words “Registrar or the High Court, as the case may 

be,” shall be substituted; 

(o) in section 87, in sub-section (2), clause (n) shall be omitted. 

17 

 
 
 
 
CHAPTER XVIII 

AMENDMENTS TO THE PROTECTION OF PLANT VARIETIES AND FARMERS' RIGHTS ACT, 2001 

23. Amendment of Act 53 of 2001.—In the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 

2001,— 

(a) in section 2,— 

(i) clauses (d), (n) and (o) shall be omitted; 

(ii) for clause (q), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:— 

'(q) “prescribed” means,— 

(i) in relation  to  proceedings  before a  High  Court,  prescribed  by  rules  made by  the 

High Court; and 

(ii) in other cases, prescribed by rules made under this Act;'; 

(iii) clauses (y) and (z) shall be omitted; 

(b) in section 44, the words “or the Tribunal” shall be omitted; 

(c)  in  Chapter  VIII,  for  the  Chapter  heading,  the  Chapter  heading  “APPEALS”  shall  be 

substituted; 

(d) sections 54 and 55 shall be omitted; 

(e) in section 56,— 

(i) for the word “Tribunal”, wherever it occurs, the words “High Court” shall be substituted; 

(ii) sub-section (3) shall be omitted;  

(f) in section 57,— 

(i) for the word “Tribunal”, wherever it occurs, the words “High Court” shall be substituted; 

(ii) sub-section (5) shall be omitted; 

(g) sections 58 and 59 shall be omitted; 

(h) in section 89, the words “or the Tribunal” shall be omitted. 

CHAPTER XIX 

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONTROL OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS (LAND AND TRAFFIC) ACT, 2002 

24. Amendment of Act 13 of 2003.—In the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 

2002,— 

(a) in section 2,— 

(i) clause (a) shall be omitted; 

18 

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

'(da)  “Court”  means  the  principal  Civil  Court  of  original  jurisdiction  in  a  district,  and 

includes the High Court in exercise of its ordinary original civil jurisdiction;'; 

(iii) clause (l) shall be omitted; 

(b) in Chapter II, in the Chapter heading, the words “AND TRIBUNALS, ETC.” shall be omitted; 

(c) section 5 shall be omitted; 

(d) for section 14, the following section shall be substituted, namely:— 

“14. An appeal from any order passed, or any action taken, excluding issuance or serving of 
notices, under sections 26, 27, 28, 36, 37 and 38 by the Highway Administration or an officer 
authorised on its behalf, as the case may be, shall lie to the Court.”; 

(e) sections 15 and 16 shall be omitted; 

(f) in section 17, for the word  “Tribunal”, at both the places where it occurs, the word  “Court” 

shall be substituted; 

(g) section 18 shall be omitted; 

(h) in section 19, for the word  “Tribunal”, at both the places where it occurs, the word “Court” 

shall be substituted; 

(i) section 40 shall be omitted; 

(j) in section 41,— 

(i)  the  words  “or  every  order  passed  or  decision  made  on  appeal  under  this  Act  by  the 

Tribunal” shall be omitted; 

(ii) the words “or Tribunal” shall be omitted; 

(k) in section 50, in sub-section (2), clause (f) shall be omitted. 

CHAPTER XX 

AMENDMENT TO THE ELECTRICITY ACT, 2003 

25. Amendment of Act 36 of 2003.—In section 117A of the Electricity Act, 2003, for the words and 
figures “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall be governed by the provisions 
of  the  section  184  of  that  Act”,  the  words  and  figures  “the  Tribunals  Reforms  Act,  2021,  shall  be 
governed by the provisions of Chapter II of the said Act” shall be substituted. 

CHAPTER XXI 

AMENDMENT TO THE ARMED FORCE TRIBUNAL ACT, 2007 

26. Amendment of Act 55 of 2007.—In section 9A of the Armed Force Tribunal Act, 2007, for the 
words and figures “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall be governed by the 

19 

 
provisions of the section 184 of that Act”, the words and figures “the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, shall 
be governed by the provisions of Chapter II of the said Act” shall be substituted. 

CHAPTER XXII 

AMENDMENT TO THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL ACT, 2010 

27. Amendment of Act 19 of 2010.—In section 10A of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, for 
the words and figures “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall be governed by 
the provisions of the section 184 of that Act”, the words and figures “the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, 
shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter II of the said Act” shall be substituted. 

CHAPTER XXIII 

AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013 

28. Amendment of Act 18 of 2013.—In section 417A of the Companies Act, 2013, for the words and 
figures “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall be governed by the provisions 
of  the  section  184  of  that  Act”,  the  words  and  figures  “the  Tribunals  Reforms  Act,  2021,  shall  be 
governed by the provisions of Chapter II of the said Act” shall be substituted. 

CHAPTER XXIV 

AMENDMENT TO THE FINANCE ACT, 2017 

29. Amendment of Act 7 of 2017.—In the Finance Act, 2017, sections 183 and 184 and the Eighth 

Schedule shall be omitted. 

CHAPTER XXV 

AMENDMENT TO THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 2019 

30.  Amendment  of  Act  35  of  2019.—In  section  55  of  the  Consumer  Protection  Act,  2019,  after  

sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:— 

“(1A)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  sub-section  (1),  the  qualifications,  appointment, 
term  of  office,  salaries  and  allowances,  resignation,  removal  and  the  other  terms  and  conditions  of 
service  of  the  President  and  other  members  of  the  National  Commission  appointed  after  the 
commencement of the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021, shall be governed by the provisions of the said 
Act.”. 

CHAPTER XXVI 

MISCELLANEOUS 

31. Power to amend the Schedule.—(1) 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  Schedule  and 
thereupon, the said Schedule shall be deemed to have been amended accordingly. 

(2)  A  copy  of  every  notification  issued  under  sub-section  (1)  shall  be  laid  before  each  House  of 

Parliament as soon as may be after it is issued. 

20 

 
32. Rules to be laid before Parliament.—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. 

33. Transitional provisions.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being 
in  force,  any  person  appointed  as  the  Chairperson  or  Chairman  or  President  or  Presiding  Officer  or  
Vice-Chairperson or Vice-Chairman or Vice-President or Member of the Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal, or, 
as  the  case  may  be,  other  Authorities  specified  in  the  Second  Schedule  and  holding  office  as  such 
immediately before the notified date, shall, on and from the notified date, cease to hold such office, and 
he  shall  be  entitled  to  claim  compensation  not  exceeding  three  months'  pay  and  allowances  for  the 
premature termination of term of his office or of any contract of service. 

(2)  The  officers  and  other  employees  of  the  Tribunals,  Appellate  Tribunals  and  other  Authorities 
specified in the Second Schedule appointed on deputation, before the notified date, shall, on and from the 
notified date, stand reverted to their parent cadre, Ministry or Department. 

(3) Any appeal, application or proceeding pending before the Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal or other 
Authorities specified in the Second Schedule, other than those pending before the Authority for Advance 
Rulings under the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961), before the notified date, shall stand transferred to 
the court before which it would have been filed had this Act been in force on the date of filing of such 
appeal or application or initiation of the proceeding, and the court may proceed to deal with such cases 
from the stage at which it stood before such transfer, or from any earlier stage, or  de novo, as the court 
may deem fit. 

(4) The balance of all monies received by, or advanced to, the Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal or other 
Authorities  specified in the  Second  Schedule and not  spent  by  it  before the notified date,  shall, on  and 
from the notified date, stand transferred to the Central Government. 

(5) All property of whatever kind owned by, or vested in, the Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal or other 
Authorities specified in the Second Schedule before the notified date, shall stand transferred to, on and 
from the notified date, and shall vest in the Central Government. 

34. Power to remove  difficulties.—(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 notified 

date. 

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

House of Parliament. 

21 

 
35.  Repeal  and  saving.—(1)  The  Tribunals  Reforms  (Rationalisation  and  Conditions  of  Service) 

Ordinance, 2021 is hereby repealed. 

(2)  Notwithstanding  such  repeal,  anything  done  or  any  action  taken  under  the  Cinematograph  Act, 
1952 (37 of 1952), the Copyright Act, 1957 (14 of 1957), the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), the Patents 
Act,  1970  (39  of  1970),  the  Airports  Authority  of  India  Act,  1994  (55  of  1994),  the Trade Marks  Act, 
1999 (47 of 1999), the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 (48 of 
1999), the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers'  Rights Act, 2001 (53 of 2001) and the Control of 
National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002 (13 of 2003), as amended by the said Ordinance, shall 
be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of those Acts, as amended by 
this Act. 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE FIRST SCHEDULE 

[See section 2(e)] 

Sl. 
No. 

(1) 

1.  

Tribunal/Appellate Tribunal/Board/Authority 

(2) 

Acts 

(3) 

Industrial Tribunal constituted by the Central 
Government 

The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 
(14 of 1947) 

2. 

Income-tax Appellate Tribunal 

3. 

Customs, Excise and Service Tax 
Appellate Tribunal 

4. 

Appellate Tribunal 

5. 

Central Administrative Tribunal 

6. 

State Administrative Tribunals 

7. 

Railway Claims Tribunal 

8. 

Securities Appellate Tribunal 

9. 

Debts Recovery Tribunal 

10. 

Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunal 

The Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 
1961) 

The Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 
1962) 

The Smugglers and Foreign 
Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture 
of Property) Act, 1976 (13 of 
1976) 

The Administrative Tribunals Act, 
1985 (13 of 1985) 

The Administrative Tribunals Act, 
1985 (13 of 1985) 

The Railway Claims Tribunal Act, 
1987 (54 of 1987) 

The Securities and Exchange 
Board of India Act, 1992 (15 of 
1992) 

The Recovery of Debts and 
Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (51 of 1993) 

The Recovery of Debts and 
Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (51 of 1993) 

11. 

Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate 
Tribunal 

The Telecom Regulatory Authority 
of India Act, 1997 (24 of 1997) 

12. 

National Company Law Appellate Tribunal 

The Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 
2013) 

13. 

National Consumer Disputes Redressal 
Commission 

The Consumer Protection Act, 
2019 (35 of 2019) 

14. 

Appellate Tribunal for Electricity 

The Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 

23 

 
15. 

Armed Forces Tribunal 

16. 

National Green Tribunal 

2003) 

The Armed Forces Act, 2007 (55 
of 2007) 

The National Green Tribunal Act, 
2010 (19 of 2010). 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE SECOND SCHEDULE 

[See section 33] 

1. Appellate Tribunal under Cinematograph Act, 1952 (37 of 1952). 

2. Authority for Advance Rulings under Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961). 

3. Airport Appellate Tribunal under Airports Authority of India Act, 1994 (55 of 1994). 

4. Intellectual Property Appellate Board under Trade Marks Act, 1999 (47 of 1999). 

5. Plant Varieties Protection Appellate Tribunal under Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmer’s Rights 
Act, 2001 (53 of 2001). 

__________ 

25 

 
 
