National Seminar Held at NJA Bhopal to Strengthen Functioning of Debt Recovery Tribunals

The Seminar aimed to enhance legal understanding, improve adjudicatory skills, and strengthen efficiency in handling debt recovery matters through interactive sessions, expert-led discussions, and experience-sharing among participants.

A two-day residential National Seminar was conducted by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) at the National Judicial Academy (NJA), Bhopal, on 1st and 2nd December 2025, exclusively for the Presiding Officers of Debts Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) across the country.

The Seminar aimed to enhance legal understanding, improve adjudicatory skills, and strengthen efficiency in handling debt recovery matters through interactive sessions, expert-led discussions, and experience-sharing among participants.

Over the two days, sessions covered a wide range of topics crucial to DRT functioning. These included the genesis and evolution of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (RDB Act), its jurisdictional scope, and the changing landscape of debt recovery laws in India. Discussions also focused on case management strategies, procedural efficiency, and practical challenges encountered in day-to-day tribunal operations.

Experts elaborated on critical themes such as the role of adjudicating officers, the future of online adjudication and e-governance in tribunal functioning, and the importance of clarity and precision in drafting judgments and orders. A dedicated session explored the responsibilities and expanded mandate of DRTs following the enactment of the SARFAESI Act, highlighting how the legislative reforms have reshaped the ecosystem of financial dispute resolution.

Participants also discussed emerging trends in debt resolution, including digital applications, insolvency frameworks, and improved coordination between banks, financial institutions, and adjudicating bodies.

The Presiding Officers expressed satisfaction with both the content and structure of the seminar. They acknowledged the relevance of the selected themes to current operational realities and appreciated DFS for initiating capacity-building programs designed to strengthen India’s financial dispute resolution framework.

The event reflects the Government’s ongoing commitment to improving institutional efficiency, fostering judicial reform in financial matters, and ensuring timely resolution of debt recovery cases—critical to maintaining financial stability and supporting economic growth.