Section 18 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Section 18 answers three practical questions about approaching the National Green Tribunal. What form must an application or appeal take? Who may file one? And how quickly should the Tribunal decide it? The answer to the second question is wide: besides the injured person and the property owner, it includes any person aggrieved, including a representative body or organisation, and the Government and pollution control authorities.
This article is current as amended up to the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021. Section 18 was not changed by that Act. Later amendments and notifications should be checked. If you are deciding whether to approach the Tribunal, our legal dispute resolution team can help.
Every application under section 14 or 15 and every appeal under section 16 must be made in the prescribed form, with the prescribed particulars, documents and fees. An application for relief, compensation or settlement of a dispute may be made by the injured person, the property owner, legal representatives, an authorised agent, any person aggrieved (including a representative body or organisation), or the Government, a Pollution Control Board, a local authority or an environmental authority. The Tribunal must endeavour to dispose of it finally within six months of filing.
Section 18(1): form, particulars, documents and fees
"Each application under sections 14 and 15 or an appeal under section 16 shall, be made to the Tribunal in such form, contain such particulars, and, be accompanied by such documents and such fees as may be prescribed."
The Act prints no form and no fee; they are in the rules made under section 35. The National Green Tribunal (Practice and Procedure) Rules, 2011 are not explained in this article.
Section 18(2): who may apply
"Without prejudice to the provisions contained in section 16, an application for grant of relief or compensation or settlement of dispute may be made to the Tribunal by—
| Clause | Applicant |
|---|---|
| (a) | The person who has sustained the injury |
| (b) | The owner of the property to which the damage has been caused |
| (c) | Where death has resulted from the environmental damage, all or any of the legal representatives of the deceased |
| (d) | Any agent duly authorised by such person, owner or legal representatives |
| (e) | Any person aggrieved, including any representative body or organisation |
| (f) | The Central Government or a State Government or a Union territory Administration or the Central Pollution Control Board or a State Pollution Control Board or a Pollution Control Committee or a local authority, or any environmental authority constituted or established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 or any other law for the time being in force |
Clause (e) is the broadest. It lets "any person aggrieved", including a representative body or organisation, apply. That opens the Tribunal to community groups and organisations as well as to directly injured persons. Clause (f) lets the Government and the pollution control authorities themselves apply.
First proviso. Where all the legal representatives of a deceased person have not joined in an application, it shall be made "on behalf of, or, for the benefit of all the legal representatives", and those who have not joined "shall be impleaded as respondents".
Second proviso. The person, owner, legal representative, agent, representative body or organisation "shall not be entitled to make an application for grant of relief or compensation or settlement of dispute if such person, the owner, the legal representative, agent, representative body or organisation have preferred an appeal under section 16". A person who has appealed under section 16 against a listed order therefore cannot also make an application for relief, compensation or settlement of dispute under this sub-section.
The sub-section opens with "Without prejudice to the provisions contained in section 16", so the appeals in section 16 are separate. See sections 15 to 17 for the appeals and the relief, and section 14 for the settlement of disputes.
Section 18(3): disposal within six months
"The application, or as the case may be, the appeal filed before the Tribunal under this Act shall be dealt with by it as expeditiously as possible and endeavour shall be made by it to dispose of the application, or, as the case may be, the appeal, finally within six months from the date of filing of the application, or as the case may be, the appeal, after providing the parties concerned an opportunity to be heard."
Two features. The word is "endeavour": the six months is a target and not a limit on the Tribunal's jurisdiction. And the period runs from the date of filing, after providing an opportunity to be heard to the parties.
Section 18 at a glance
| Question | Answer | Sub-section |
|---|---|---|
| In what form? | As prescribed, with particulars, documents and fees | (1) |
| Who may apply? | Six categories, including any person aggrieved and organisations | (2) |
| Can someone who appealed under section 16 also apply for relief? | No | (2), second proviso |
| How fast? | Endeavour to dispose of finally within six months of filing | (3) |
For a plain-language guide to filing, see our article on the NGT appeal process for environmental disputes. The Tribunal's procedure and powers are in sections 19 to 21.
Practical points
- Identify your category under section 18(2) before filing.
- Join all legal representatives in a death claim, or file for the benefit of all.
- Choose between an appeal and an application. A person who has appealed under section 16 cannot also apply under section 18(2) for relief or settlement of dispute.
- Check the rules for the current form and fees.
- Treat six months as a target. Plan for the hearing the section provides for the parties.
An example
A farmers' producer organisation in a river basin wants to challenge pollution from an industrial cluster. It files as a "representative body or organisation" under section 18(2)(e), in the prescribed form with the prescribed fees. It has not filed an appeal under section 16 against any order, so the second proviso does not bar it.
Need help with filing at the Tribunal?
Who may file, in what form and with what documents are practical questions with deadlines attached. Our legal dispute resolution team can help you choose the route, prepare the papers and keep to the time limits.
Key takeaways
- Applications under sections 14 and 15 and appeals under section 16 must be in the prescribed form, with prescribed particulars, documents and fees.
- Applicants include the injured, property owners, legal representatives, agents, any person aggrieved, representative bodies and organisations, and Governments and authorities.
- A person who has appealed under section 16 cannot also apply for relief, compensation or settlement of dispute under section 18(2).
- The Tribunal endeavours to dispose of a matter finally within six months of filing, after hearing the parties.
Read next
- Section 14: original jurisdiction
- Sections 15 to 17: relief, appeals and no fault
- Sections 19 to 21: procedure, powers and principles
- NGT appeal process for environmental disputes
Disclaimer: Based on the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 as amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 (in force for these Acts from 1 April 2024), the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as amended by its Amendment Act of 2024 (which applies only in the States and Union territories it names and in States that adopt it), and the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 as amended by the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, as consulted on 3 October 2026. Later amendments, rules and notifications should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.