National Green Tribunal failed to rule for environment groups in first half of 2026

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has accused the Narendra Modi government of "emasculating" the National Green Tribunal over the past decade, pointing to research that shows the body failed to deliver a single favourable verdict to environmental or public-interest parties in appeals decided on merit during the opening half of this year.

The former Environment Minister cited a study by the South Asian Reporter for Environment Laws (SAREL) published on 19 September 2026, which found that between January and June 2026, the NGT did not rule in favour of an environmental or public-interest party in any appeal heard on merits. Mr. Ramesh said the tribunal must now "recover and rediscover its courage" and return to the letter and spirit of the NGT Act, 2010.

Sharp divergence in outcomes for industry and environmental groups

A total of 119 appeals were filed before the NGT's five benches during the first six months of 2026, of which 52 were dismissed on procedural grounds. Mr. Ramesh described this procedural attrition rate as "questionable" in itself.

Of the 67 appeals that were heard on merits, 51 were filed by industry, project proponents or property owners. These appellants received favourable orders in 30 cases, translating to a success rate of around 60 per cent.

In stark contrast, environmental or public-interest parties filed 16 appeals seeking environmental justice. All 16 were dismissed, with none receiving a favourable ruling.

Tribunal's original mandate called into question

Mr. Ramesh, who is Congress general secretary, emphasised that the contrast is particularly significant given that the NGT was established in June 2010 through an Act of Parliament to provide effective and expeditious environmental justice to the citizens of the country.

"Over the past decade it has been emasculated by the Modi government," Mr. Ramesh said, adding that the tribunal must "recover and rediscover its courage".

SAREL findings highlight procedural barriers

The SAREL analysis examined all 119 appeals filed at the five benches of the NGT between January and June. While environmental or public-interest parties filed 16 of the 119 merit appeals, the project proponent, property owner, or industry side filed 51 such appeals.

More than 50 appeals were dismissed on technicalities or procedural issues and never reached a merits ruling. The public-interest side was not given a favourable judgment in all 16 of its matters, winning none.

The industry side, meanwhile, was dismissed in only about a third of its appeals and secured a favourable order in 59 per cent, 30 of the 51 merit appeals were won, with a further 6 per cent preserved at status quo.

The analysis also highlighted that dismissal on technical grounds was a major filter, as 44 per cent of all appeals were dismissed on limitation, jurisdiction, maintainability or withdrawal without any merits ruling.

Source: The Hindu