NCLT and NCLAT
Institutional Architecture
The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) was constituted under Section 408 of the Companies Act, 2013, replacing the erstwhile Company Law Board, the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR), and the Appellate Authority for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (AAIR). The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) was constituted under Section 410 of the Companies Act, 2013, operational from 1 June 2016. NCLAT hears appeals against NCLT orders and also hears appeals from orders of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) under the Competition Act, 2002. Appeals from NCLAT lie to the Supreme Court. Both bodies function as specialist tribunals that blend quasi-judicial and technical functions — their Chairpersons must be serving or retired High Court Chief Justices or Supreme Court judges.
- NCLT: constituted under Section 408, Companies Act, 2013.
- NCLAT: constituted under Section 410, Companies Act, 2013; operational from 1 June 2016.
- NCLAT Chairperson: serving or retired Supreme Court judge or Chief Justice of High Court.
- NCLAT also hears CCI appeals (Competition Act, 2002) and IBC-related appeals.
- Final appeal from NCLAT: Supreme Court of India.
- Both bodies replaced the CLB, BIFR, and AAIFR — a rationalisation of corporate dispute forums.
● Tracked since March 09, 2026 · last seen May 21, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes