Supreme Court Seeks Centre’s Response on Filling Vacancies in Armed Forces Tribunal

May 4, 2026 : The Supreme Court of India on Monday took note of the growing vacancies in the Armed Forces Tribunal and issued notice to the Centre and other stakeholders on a plea seeking timely appointments to vacant posts.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi agreed to examine the matter and requested Attorney General R. Venkataramani to assist the Court. The petitioner, the Armed Forces Tribunal Bar Association (Regional Bench), was directed to furnish a copy of the petition to the Attorney General’s office.

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that out of 11 AFT benches across the country, only three may remain functional by the end of the year if vacancies are not urgently filled.

The plea seeks a direction to the Union Government to complete the selection process and fill vacant posts in a time-bound manner, in compliance with Section 5 of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007, which governs the composition and functioning of the tribunal and its benches.

Additionally, the petition requests that existing judicial and administrative members be allowed to continue in office, subject to their consent, until new appointments are made to ensure continuity in adjudication.

The matter has been listed for further hearing after two weeks. (PTI)