The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a statutory tribunal that hears cases on environmental protection, forests and natural resources, and to give relief and compensation. It aims to dispose of cases within six months. Its principal bench is in New Delhi with zonal benches at Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai. The chairperson is a retired Supreme Court judge, and expert members sit alongside judicial members.
Key facts
- Mandate to dispose of applications within six months; principal bench New Delhi, zonal benches Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai.
- Chairperson is a retired Supreme Court judge; ten judicial and ten expert members at full strength.
- Hears matters under seven laws in its Schedule I, including the Water Act 1974, Air Act 1981 and Environment (Protection) Act 1986, but not the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
- Chairperson: Justice Prakash Shrivastava, since August 2023. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
Why exams ask about it
The founding Act and year, the six-month target and the laws it covers (and does not) are the usual questions.