Page 56 – Tribunals
Based on M. Laxmikanth – Indian Polity (6th Edition)
Key Idea Summary
Core concepts and exam relevance
Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies created to:
- Reduce burden of regular courts
- Provide expert-based and speedy justice
- Handle administrative, tax, and service-related disputes
Constitutional sanction under Article 323A & 323B.
- Difference between courts & tribunals
- Administrative Tribunals
- Finance Act, 2017 changes
- NGT as a specialized tribunal
Types of Tribunals
Article 323A vs 323B
📜 Article 323A – Administrative Tribunals
Created by Parliament only for:
- Recruitment
- Service matters of public servants
- Centre & State employees
- CAT – Central Administrative Tribunal
- SATs – State Administrative Tribunals
📜 Article 323B – Other Tribunals
Can be created by Parliament or State Legislatures for:
- Taxation
- Industrial disputes
- Land reforms
- Elections
- Corruption
- Food supply
Major Tribunals in India
Specialized judicial bodies
CAT (Central)
- Central govt employees
- Service matters
- Established 1985
NGT (Environment)
- Environmental disputes
- Pollution cases
- Established 2010
ITAT (Income Tax)
- Tax appeals
- Income tax disputes
- Oldest tribunal (1941)
Industrial Tribunals
- Labour disputes
- Industrial Disputes Act
- State-level bodies
Finance Act, 2017 Reform
Major restructuring
⚠️ Key Changes
- Merged several tribunals
- Gave central government power to frame tribunal rules
- Appointment procedures changed
- Terms & conditions of members amended
- Some tribunals abolished
Note: Supreme Court has struck down certain provisions affecting tribunal independence.
Evolution of Tribunals
Key milestones
Oldest tribunal in India; handles income tax appeals
Article 323A & 323B added to Constitution
Central Administrative Tribunal for service matters
National Green Tribunal for environmental cases
Major restructuring and merger of tribunals
Simulation Lab
Tribunal Jurisdiction Explorer
🧪 Tribunal Jurisdiction Simulator
Select a scenario to find the appropriate tribunal.
Select a scenario to find the right tribunal.
Exam Booster – Practice Questions
Test your understanding
1 Which Articles relate to tribunals?
323A = Administrative tribunals. 323B = Other tribunals (tax, industrial, etc.). Added by 42nd Amendment.
2 Which tribunal handles service matters of central government employees?
Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) handles service matters under Article 323A. Established in 1985.
Memory Hooks & Quick Revision
Key takeaways for exam day
Revision Summary
3 Exam Points to Remember
- 1 323A: Administrative tribunals (CAT, SAT) | 323B: Tax, industrial, land, etc.
- 2 CAT: 1985 | NGT: 2010 | ITAT: 1941 (oldest)
- 3 Finance Act 2017: Merged tribunals | Changed appointments | Some provisions struck down by SC