Key Concepts & Self-Assessment15 Key Facts
Review key National Green Tribunal (NGT Act 2010) & Environmental Adjudication exam facts and rate your mastery to track revision.
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#1
The National Green Tribunal was established in 2010 under the NGT Act, 2010, giving effect to the right to a clean environment under Article 21.
#2
India is the third country globally and the first developing nation to establish a specialized environmental tribunal.
#3
The NGT has jurisdiction over 7 civil environmental laws, but does not cover the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 or the Indian Forest Act, 1927.
#4
Section 20 of the NGT Act mandates adherence to the principles of Sustainable Development, the Precautionary Principle, and the Polluter Pays Principle.
#5
In Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai v. Ankita Sinha (2021), the Supreme Court affirmed that the NGT can initiate suo motu proceedings to protect the environment.
#6
The Chairperson of the NGT must be a retired judge of the Supreme Court or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court, appointed by the Central Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of India.
#7
The NGT consists of a full-time Chairperson and not less than 10 but not exceeding 20 full-time Judicial Members and Expert Members each under Section 4.
#8
The Principal Bench of the NGT is located in New Delhi, with regional benches sitting in Bhopal (Central), Pune (Western), Kolkata (Eastern), and Chennai (Southern).
#9
The 7 scheduled environmental statutes under NGT jurisdiction include the Water Act 1974, Air Act 1981, Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Public Liability Insurance Act 1991, and Biological Diversity Act 2002.
#10
Section 18(1) of the NGT Act requires that applications for relief or compensation be filed within six months from the date on which the cause of action first arose.
#11
Under Section 22 of the NGT Act, any person aggrieved by an award, decision, or order of the Tribunal may file an appeal directly to the Supreme Court within 90 days.
#12
Section 19 exempts the NGT from being bound by procedures laid down in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 or rules of evidence under the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, guiding it by natural justice.
#13
In Vellore Citizens' Welfare Forum v. Union of India (1996), the Supreme Court integrated the Precautionary Principle and Polluter Pays Principle as essential features of Indian environmental law under Article 21.
#14
Section 26 prescribes penalties for failure to comply with NGT orders, including imprisonment for a term up to three years or a fine up to Rs 10 crore (Rs 25 crore for companies).
#15
Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta served as the inaugural Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal upon its inception on October 18, 2010.
Subject Specialist Commentary
Analytical perspective & practical exam advice from the Master10 academic board
The National Green Tribunal was established in 2010 under the NGT Act to handle environmental cases efficiently and support the right to a clean environment under Article 21. India was the third country globally, and the first developing nation, to build a dedicated environmental court. Guided by principles of sustainable development, precaution, and polluter pays, the tribunal comprises judicial and expert members who resolve environmental damage claims using natural justice rather than rigid procedural codes.
In UPSC prelims and State PSC exams, the NGT's jurisdiction is a favourite topic for statement questions. A classic prelims trap is assuming the tribunal covers all environmental legislation; remember that the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and Indian Forest Act of 1927 are strictly excluded from its mandate. Also note that appeals against NGT decisions go straight to the Supreme Court within ninety days. Keep in mind that the Supreme Court upheld the tribunal's suo motu powers in the 2021 Ankita Sinha ruling.
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