The Principal Bench of the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT), New Delhi, has issued a formal dress code for its Members, marking a significant step toward standardising courtroom decorum. The move comes after it was noted that the GSTAT Procedural Rules 2025 are silent on the matter of prescribed attire.
The directive, issued under Office Order No. 114/2025 and signed by Registrar Saurav Suman Shardool, has been passed with the approval of the Hon’ble President and is effective immediately.
According to the order, Judicial Members and the Hon’ble President are required to wear attire prescribed for Judges of the Hon’ble Supreme Court or High Courts, but without the gown. This ensures judicial uniformity while also introducing a slight relaxation in formality.
For Technical Members, a distinct and detailed dress code has been laid down. Male Technical Members must wear either white, striped, or black trousers, paired with a black coat over a white shirt, along with a black necktie or a buttoned-up black coat. Female Technical Members are instructed to wear a black overcoat over a saree that is either black, white, or lightly printed. Furthermore, any Technical Member wearing a turban must ensure that it is either white or light in colour.
The order also effectively prohibits casual or informal attire in court proceedings. Brightly coloured or heavily printed sarees for female members are not permitted under the new code. Likewise, turbans in vibrant or dark shades are not allowed. Judicial Members are not required to wear gowns, deviating slightly from the traditional full court dress seen in other judicial forums.
By introducing this dress code, the GSTAT aims to bring consistency and a professional appearance in line with other judicial and quasi-judicial bodies in India. The directive emphasizes that this dress code is to be observed with immediate effect.
