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National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Understanding the institutional framework for corporate governance, insolvency resolution, and the functioning of quasi-judicial bodies is crucial for GS2 (Polity) and GS3 (Economy). The powers, challenges, and role of such bodies in economic reforms are frequently tested.

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) are quasi-judicial bodies in India that adjudicate issues relating to Indian companies. Established under the Companies Act, 2013, they handle matters such as corporate insolvency resolution, company mergers and acquisitions, and other corporate disputes, replacing the Company Law Board and Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Establishment

Established under the Companies Act, 2013.

Jurisdiction

Corporate insolvency, company mergers, winding up, and other corporate disputes.

Appellate Function

NCLAT hears appeals against orders of NCLT and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI).

Composition

Comprises Judicial and Technical members.

Reference table

NCLT vs NCLAT

BodyPrimary FunctionAppellate Authority
NCLTAdjudicates corporate disputes, insolvency proceedingsNCLAT
NCLATHears appeals against NCLT ordersSupreme Court

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Polity & Governance

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
National Company Law TribunalAdjudicates
National Company Law Appellate TribunalHears appeals
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions

Quick revision

  • Statutory quasi-judicial bodies under Companies Act, 2013.
  • NCLT: Primary adjudicating authority for corporate matters, including IBC.
  • NCLAT: Appellate body for NCLT and IBBI orders.
  • Comprises Judicial and Technical members.
  • Crucial for corporate governance and insolvency resolution.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutory — NCLT/NCLAT are statutory bodies, not constitutional bodies.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the organisations under the Government of India, consider the following details: | Sl. No. | Organisation | Function | Controlling Union M...

Indian PolityOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: | Organization | Some of its Functions | It Works Under | |--...

Indian PolityOpen question
2024Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises...

Indian PolityOpen question
2022Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Government law officers and legal firms are recognised as advocates, but corporate lawyers an...

Indian PolityOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India. 2...

EconomyOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India. 2. In India, the...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India. 2...

EconomyOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India. 2. In India, the...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2018Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Indian PolityOpen question

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2018Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Indian PolityOpen question

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Indian Polity & Governance
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Open question

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Open question

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India. 2...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India. 2. In India, the...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India. 2...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India. 2. In India, the...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Government law officers and legal firms are recognised as advocates, but corporate lawyers an...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: | Organization | Some of its Functions | It Works Under | |--...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the organisations under the Government of India, consider the following details: | Sl. No. | Organisation | Function | Controlling Union M...

Open question

NCLT's first-ever 5-member Bench to decide on Subhash Chandra repayment plan

01 Sep 2026 · NCLT and NCLAT are statutory quasi-judicial bodies under the Companies Act, 2013, handling corporate law and insolvency matters. NCLT is the primary adjudicating authority, with NCLAT serving as the appellate body.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)

Often confused with

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

With reference to the organisations under the Government of India, consider the following details: | Sl. No. | Organisation | Function | Controlling Union M...

2026·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

2018·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements : 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India. 2...

2019·Economy
Solve

With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: | Organization | Some of its Functions | It Works Under | |--...

2025·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India. 2. In India, the...

2019·Science & Technology
Solve

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

2018·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Government law officers and legal firms are recognised as advocates, but corporate lawyers an...

2022·Indian Polity
Solve

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises...

2024·Indian Polity
Solve

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