In Brief
The Supreme Court reformed consumer forum appointments across India, directing that new Rules must ensure a minimum 5-year tenure for all judicial and non-judicial members and establish judicial majority in Selection Committees (two judges, one executive member). Written examination is required only for non-judicial members, not for judicial appointments or Presidents. The Court upheld appointments made in Maharashtra on 5 October 2023 as valid, allowing those candidates to complete their tenure. It also set aside suggestions to revive the 2019 Rules for reappointment and ordered the Central Government to notify new Rules within four months ensuring proper checks on executive interference in consumer forum appointments.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.