(1) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as the Chairman unless he—
(a) is, or has been, a Judge of a High Court; or
(b) has, for at least two years, held the office of a Vice-Chairman.
(2) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as the Vice-Chairman unless he—
(a) is, or has been, or is qualified to be, a Judge of a High Court; or
(b) has been a member of the Indian Legal Service and has held a post in Grade I of that Service or any higher post for at least five years; or
(c) has, for at least five years, held a civil judicial post carrying a scale of pay which is not less than that of a Joint Secretary to the Government of India; or
(d) has, for at least five years, held a post under a railway administration carrying a scale of pay which is not less than that of a Joint Secretary to the Government of India and has adequate knowledge of rules and procedure of, and experience in, claims and commercial matters relating to railways; or
(e) has, for a period of not less than three years, held office as a Judicial Member or a Technical Member.
(3) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a Judicial Member unless he—
(a) is, or has been, or is qualified to be, a Judge of a High Court; or
(b) has been a Member of the Indian Legal Service and has held a post in Grade I of that Service for at least three years; or
(c) has, for at least three years, held a civil judicial post carrying a scale of pay which is not less than that of a Joint Secretary to the Government of India.
(4) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a Technical Member unless he has, for at least three years, held a post under a railway administration carrying a scale of pay which is not less than that of a Joint Secretary to the Government of India and has adequate knowledge of rules and procedure of, and experience in, claims and commercial matters relating to railways.
(5) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (6), the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and every other Member shall be appointed by the President.
(6) No appointment of a person as the Chairman shall be made except after consultation with the Chief Justice of India.
6. Vice-Chairman to act as Chairman or to discharge his functions in certain circumstances.
(1) In the event of the occurrence of any vacancy in the office of the Chairman by reason of his death, resignation or otherwise, such one of the Vice-Chairman as the Central Government may, by notification, authorise in this behalf, shall act as the Chairman until the date on which a new Chairman, appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Act to fill such vacancy, enters upon his office.
(2) When the Chairman is unable to discharge his functions owing to absence, illness or any other cause, such one of the Vice-Chairmen as the Central Government may, by notification, authorise in this behalf, shall discharge the functions of the Chairman until the date on which the Chairman resumes his duties.