Reforms Utsav 2026: ITAT Bharat Utsav

This report provides a detailed overview of the Reforms Utsav 2026, an event hosted by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) on July 16, 2026, at the Garware Club House in Mumbai. The event was a commemorative landmark celebrating the tribunal’s 85-year legacy and its alignment with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

1. Opening Ceremonies and Contextual Significance

The event began with a formal tone, honouring the National Song and conducting the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp. This ritual, performed by the Honourable Chief Guest Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal and other dignitaries, served as a symbolic commitment to wisdom, justice, and the triumph of knowledge over ignorance. The assembly emphasised that the ITAT is not merely an adjudicating body but a pillar of constitutional governance, playing a critical role in maintaining public trust in tax administration.

2. Institutional Milestone: ITAT’s 85-Year Journey.

Honourable President Justice C.V . Bhandang, in his welcome address, stated that the function was attended by a large gathering of the Honourable Members of the ITAT, Commissioners, Senior Advocates, professionals, Principals of three law colleges and also law students from various law schools.

Honourable Justice C.V . Bhadang, President of ITAT, provided an insightful welcome address tracing the history of the tribunal. Established in 1941, the ITAT has witnessed several major legislative transitions, most notably the shift from the Income Tax Act of 1961 to the newly enacted Income Tax Act of 2025 (effective April 2026). Key highlights of the institutional evolution include:

Technological Integration: The tribunal has aggressively adopted e-filing, virtual hearings, and hybrid models to streamline legal processes.

Infrastructure Expansion: Over the last decade, ITAT has inaugurated state-of-the-art facilities in Jaipur, Bangalore, Cuttack, Lucknow, and Delhi. Guwahati bench land issues are being prioritised by the current administration, and for the Mumbai Benches, the proposal is under consideration.

Human Resources: Justice C.V. Bhadang noted that the tribunal currently operates with 112 out of 126 sanctioned members, maintaining one of the lowest vacancy levels among national tribunals.

3. Legal Reforms and Constitutional Evolution

Dr Milind Sate, Advocate General of Maharashtra, delivered an expansive address focusing on the constitutional journey of India over the last decade. He categorised the nation’s progress into several pillars:

Governance Reform: The transition from a colonial “rule-based” system to a citizen-centric “governance-based” model. He cited the replacement of the Indian Penal Code with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as a core example of weeding out colonial obsolescence.

Economic Revolution: The success of the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) was hailed as a singular achievement of the last decade, transforming the small-scale economic landscape of India.

Human Development: Initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme and the Swachh Bharat Mission were linked to constitutional mandates under Article 38 and Article 47 of the Constitution of India, aiming to raise the standards of living and nutrition for all citizens.

4. Keynote Address: Vision for Viksit Bharat

Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law & Justice, delivered the keynote address. Honourable Minister centred on the broader strategic vision for India as a developed nation by 2047.

Global Economic Positioning: The Honourable Minister contextualised India’s rise within the global economic order, comparing current structural reforms to the global shifts of the 20th century. He highlighted that the Income Tax Act 2025 is not just a change in law but a fundamental restructuring of the relationship between the state and the taxpayer, moving from suspicion to faith.

Future Preparedness: The Honourable Law Minister emphasised that the legal fraternity, particularly students present at the event, must prepare for an era where India becomes a leader in space, technology, and military strategy.

Honourable Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Mumbai, Shri Alok Kumar, also graced the function.

5. Professional and Collaborative Recognition.

The event facilitated a unique collaboration between judicial authorities and professional bodies. Several organisations, including the ITAT Bar Association Mumbai, ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India), the Indian Merchant’s Chamber, the All India Federation of Tax Practitioners, Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society and the Chamber of Tax Consultants, were represented by their leadership to acknowledcge the tribunal’s service This inter-disciplinary engagement underscores the importance of the ITAT in facilitating the Ease of Doing Business for multinational corporations and individual taxpayers alike.

The Honourable Vice-President Shri Saktjit Dey proposed a vote of thanks.

6. Conclusion

The program concluded with a brief expression of gratitude to all speakers and a performance of the National Anthem. The event successfully framed the ITAT not as an isolated judicial body, but as a proactive, technologically savvy institution central to the success of India’s ambition to become a global leader by 2047. The emphasis throughout was clear: trust, transparency, and the rule of law are the non-negotiable foundations of Viksit Bharat.

On behalf of the ITAT Bar Association Mumbai, a detailed representation was handed over to the Honourable Law Minister Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal.
Click hereto Representation

The entire programme was meticulously presented by the Honourable Shri Amit Shukla, Judicial Member of the ITAT Mumbai, and his team of Honourable Members and staff.

Readers may watch the programme on YouTube for more details.

For ITAT BAR Association Mumbai

Honourary Secretaries.

July 20, 2026

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