Tags:Polity
For Prelims: NCLAT (National Company Law Appellate Tribunal), NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal), Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016, Appointee, Post, Date of assumption, Full form of NCLAT, Nodal ministry
For Mains: Quasi-judicial tribunal, appellate mechanism, corporate dispute resolution, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code
Source:
Dainik Bhaskar
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Justice Rajesh Bindal appointed NCLAT Chairperson on 5 November 2026.
- NCLAT stands for National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.
- NCLAT hears appeals against orders of NCLT.
- NCLAT was established under the Companies Act, 2013.
- Justice Ashok Bhushan was the previous chairperson of NCLAT.
Why in the news?
Former Supreme Court Justice Rajesh Bindal has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), a key quasi-judicial body that hears appeals against NCLT orders on company disputes, mergers, insolvency and competition law. The post was vacant for about four months.
Summary
- Justice Rajesh Bindal, former Supreme Court judge, appointed NCLAT Chairperson; assumed charge on 5 November 2026.
- NCLAT hears appeals against orders of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on company mergers, insolvency resolution and competition law matters.
- The regular chairperson post was vacant for nearly four months; Justice Yogesh Khanna was serving as acting chairperson.
Highlights
New NCLAT Chairperson
Former Supreme Court Justice Rajesh Bindal appointed as regular Chairperson of NCLAT, ending a four-month vacancy.
NCLAT's Jurisdiction
NCLAT is the appellate tribunal for orders of NCLT, covering company mergers, insolvency, liquidation and competition law appeals.
Vacancy Filled
Justice Yogesh Khanna was serving as acting chairperson since the post fell vacant four months ago.
Background
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) is a key quasi-judicial body established under the Companies Act, 2013. It hears appeals against orders of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), which deals with corporate disputes, mergers and acquisitions, insolvency and liquidation under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016. The chairperson post had been vacant for about four months, with Justice Yogesh Khanna serving as acting chairperson.
Key Analysis and Impact
Justice Rajesh Bindal's appointment brings a regular head to NCLAT, which should help clear the backlog of appeals and provide stability in adjudication. As a former Supreme Court judge, he brings high judicial experience. NCLAT also hears appeals under the Competition Act, 2002, making its role crucial for corporate governance and market regulation. The appointment fills a leadership gap that had persisted since the tenure of former chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan ended.
Way Forward
With a regular chairperson in place, NCLAT can now function with full strength and address pending appeals efficiently. The government may also consider filling other vacancies in NCLT and NCLAT to reduce the overall pendency of corporate law cases. The appointment reinforces the institutional framework for insolvency resolution and corporate dispute redressal in India.
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- NCLAT (National Company Law Appellate Tribunal)
- A quasi-judicial appellate body established under Section 410 of the Companies Act, 2013, to hear appeals against orders of the NCLT. It also hears appeals under the Competition Act, 2002, and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016.
- NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal)
- A quasi-judicial body established under the Companies Act, 2013, that adjudicates matters relating to company law, including mergers, amalgamations, oppression and mismanagement, and insolvency resolution.
- Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016
- A comprehensive law that consolidates and amends laws relating to insolvency resolution of corporate persons, partnership firms and individuals in a time-bound manner.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: Justice Rajesh Bindal appointed NCLAT Chairperson on 5 November 2026
- Nodal Body: Ministry of Corporate Affairs
- Legal Point: Companies Act, 2013 (Section 410)
Don't make this mistake!
Students often confuse NCLAT with NCLT. NCLAT is the appellate body that hears appeals against NCLT orders, not the other way around. Also, NCLAT's jurisdiction includes competition law appeals under the Competition Act, 2002, not just company law matters.
Write these in mains answers
- Quasi-judicial tribunal, appellate mechanism, corporate dispute resolution, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code
Stuck? Get it in one tap
NCLAT is a court-like body that hears appeals when someone disagrees with a decision of the NCLT, which handles company disputes and bankruptcy cases. The post of its chairperson was empty for four months. Now former Supreme Court judge Justice Rajesh Bindal has been appointed as the regular chairperson to lead it.
- Justice Rajesh Bindal appointed NCLAT Chairperson on 5 November 2026.
- NCLAT stands for National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.
- NCLAT hears appeals against orders of NCLT.
- NCLAT was established under the Companies Act, 2013.
- Justice Ashok Bhushan was the previous chairperson of NCLAT.
- Polity: Tribunals and quasi-judicial bodies
- Governance: Corporate governance and insolvency framework
Related concepts: NCLAT (National Company Law Appellate Tribunal), NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal), Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which ministry is primarily responsible for the administrative control of NCLAT?
Explanation: NCLAT is established under the Companies Act, 2013, which is administered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The Ministry of Law and Justice handles courts and legal affairs but not corporate tribunals directly. The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Commerce are not the nodal ministries for NCLAT.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding NCLAT:
- 1.NCLAT is the appellate tribunal that hears appeals against orders of NCLT.
- 2.NCLAT also hears appeals under the Competition Act, 2002.
- 3.The chairperson of NCLAT must be a sitting judge of the Supreme Court.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: NCLAT hears appeals against NCLT orders. Statement 2 is correct: NCLAT also hears appeals under the Competition Act, 2002. Statement 3 is incorrect: the chairperson need not be a sitting judge; former Supreme Court judges or Chief Justices of High Courts are eligible. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
On which date did Justice Rajesh Bindal assume charge as the new Chairperson of NCLAT?
Explanation: Justice Rajesh Bindal assumed charge as NCLAT Chairperson on 5 November 2026. 1 November is incorrect; 6 November is when the news was published, not the assumption date; 15 November is a random date not supported by the news.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary significance of appointing a regular chairperson to NCLAT after a four-month vacancy?
Explanation: A regular chairperson ensures stable leadership for hearing appeals under the IBC, Companies Act and Competition Act. NCLAT does not hear criminal cases, does not investigate fraud (that is the role of SFIO or investigative agencies), and the government is not merging the two tribunals.
Frequently asked questions
1. Who has been appointed as the new Chairperson of NCLAT?
Former Supreme Court Justice Rajesh Bindal has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).
2. When did Justice Rajesh Bindal assume charge as NCLAT Chairperson?
He assumed charge on 5 November 2026.
3. What is the full form of NCLAT and what does it do?
NCLAT stands for National Company Law Appellate Tribunal. It hears appeals against orders of NCLT on company disputes, mergers, insolvency, and also hears appeals under the Competition Act, 2002.
4. Who was serving as acting chairperson of NCLAT before this appointment?
Justice Yogesh Khanna was serving as the acting chairperson before Justice Rajesh Bindal's appointment.
All sources
- Original6 November 2026 · Read story
