NCLT Targets Case Backlog with Single-Judge Benches—What Changes Now

On 27 April 2026, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) issued an order authorising Single Judicial Member Benches to hear and dispose of specified classes of matters under the Companies Act, 2013 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC).

The order came into force with immediate effect and applies to all NCLT benches across the country unless otherwise directed.

Key Points:

1. The order has been issued in exercise of powers conferred under the proviso to Section 419(3) of the Companies Act, 2013, with the objective of ensuring timely disposal of cases, reducing pendency, and improving overall case management across NCLT benches.

2. Ordinarily, Section 419(3) mandates that the Tribunal’s powers be exercised by a two-member bench comprising a Judicial Member and a Technical Member.

3. However, the proviso empowers the President of the Tribunal to constitute Single Judicial Member Benches and to specify, by general or special order, the class of cases that may be heard by such benches.

4. Invoking this statutory flexibility, the NCLT has now classified certain procedural, urgent, and uncontested matters as suitable for adjudication by a Single Judicial Member.

5. The order recognises that several matters coming before the NCLT are procedural, uncontested, or urgent in nature and do not require the attention of a full Division Bench. By reallocating such matters to Single Judicial Member Benches, the Tribunal aims to:

   • Reduce pendency,

   • Improve case management, and

   • Ensure quicker procedural adjudication without compromising legal safeguards.

6. The order clearly specifies the classes of matters that can be heard and disposed of by a Single Judicial Member Bench. These include:

   • Applications for early hearing

   • Orders for completion of pleadings and compliance with Tribunal directions

   • Condonation of delay in filing applications, replies, or affidavits

   • Unopposed applications for extension of CIRP or liquidation periods

   • Extension of interim relief earlier granted by a Division Bench

   • Uncontested applications for confirmation, substitution, or replacement of IRP/RP/Liquidator

   • Substitution of parties or legal representatives (LRs)

   • Taking on record progress reports filed by IRP/RP/Liquidator

   • Recording constitution or reconstitution of the Committee of Creditors (CoC)

   • Issuing procedural directions to the Registry.

7. To prevent any dilution of adjudicatory standards, the order includes key safeguards:

   • If any party requests a hearing before a Division Bench, the matter will be placed accordingly.

   • Contested matters affecting substantive rights cannot be finally adjudicated by a Single Judicial Member.

   • Matters outside the specified categories are excluded from the jurisdiction of Single Judicial Member Benches.

Also Read: From Withdrawal to Creditor Control: Key Shifts under the IBC Amendment Act, 2026

[NCLT Order, issued on 27-4-2026]