You’ve been passed over for a promotion you earned. Your pay has been incorrectly fixed for the third year in a row. Or worse — a disciplinary action has been initiated against you without proper procedure. If you’re a central government employee facing any of these situations, you may have the right to seek justice before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).
But before you approach the Tribunal, the most urgent question is: Am I eligible to file?
This guide gives you a clear, plain-language answer to exactly that — backed by the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, and CAT Procedure Rules, 1987. Adv. Vijay Kumar, a dedicated CAT lawyer practising before Delhi’s CAT bench, walks you through every category of eligible applicant, the preliminary conditions you must meet, and the filing process — step by step.
Who Can File a Case Before CAT
Rule 4 of the CAT (Procedure) Rules, 1987, indicates that any aggrieved person on an order with regard to their recruitment, appointment, promotion, seniority, transfer, disciplinary measure, or any other issue connected to the service can make an application before the Tribunal.
The applicant should fall under one of the following:
- An officer hired in any civil service or civil post by the Central Government.
- A worker of a Union Territory or other notified body.
- Any individual whose case comes under the coverage of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985.
Before applying to the CAT (Central Administrative Tribunal) to guide your case, it’s essential to understand its role and functions. Established under the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, CAT is a specialized judicial body that resolves service-related disputes of Central Government employees.
Am I Eligible? 5 Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1 — Wrongful Promotion Denial: Ramesh, a Section Officer in the Ministry of Finance, was bypassed for promotion despite being senior in his batch. His junior was promoted instead. Eligible to file CAT OA challenging the promotion order.
Scenario 2 — Incorrect Pay Fixation: Priya, a Central Government teacher, received a pay fixation order that ignored her previous service. Eligible to file CAT OA for pay revision.
Scenario 3 — Suspension Without Charges: A Delhi Postal Department employee was placed under suspension for over 180 days with no charge sheet issued. Eligible to challenge illegal suspension before CAT.
Scenario 4 — CRPF Constable (Service Condition): A CRPF constable’s transfer was challenged. Para-military forces have limited CAT jurisdiction — consult a CAT lawyer to assess which matters qualify.
Scenario 5 — PSU Employee (Notified): An employee of a Central Government-owned corporation notified under the Act received an unjust termination. Eligible to file before CAT.
Preliminary Requirements Before Filing
An applicant should be sure that before contacting CAT:
According to Section 20 of the Act, applicants are expected to have already sought redress in the concerned department (say by making a representation or appealing). In case of departmental remedies not being exhausted, the Tribunal may dismiss cases.
- Limitation Period: Section 21 of the Act provides that an application should be made during the period of one year after the date of the order or the cause of action. Delay may, however, be condoned by the Tribunal provided there is adequate justification.
- Jurisdiction: The application should be submitted in the Bench that has jurisdiction over the office of the applicant or where the action of causation occurred.
Format and Contents of the Application
The application has been given structure by Rule 4 and Rule 5 of the CAT (Procedure) Rules, 1987.
Each application should have:
- Heading: “At the Central Administrative Tribunal and the name of the Bench.
- Parties: The name, address, and official title of the applicant and the information of whom the respondent will be (e.g., Ministry or Department).
- Facts of the Case: A statement of material facts in a chronological order.
- Relief Sought: This is the relief or direction that is sought by the Tribunal.
- Grounds: Reasons in support of the relief.
- Verification: The applicant is to confirm that all statements are honest to the best of their knowledge.
All the applications have to be typed, paginated, and signed by an applicant or authorized advocate.
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Documents to Be Attached For CAT
In accordance with Rule 6, the following should be annexed:
- A duplicated or authorised copy of the impugned order or decision.
- Duplicates of pertinent correspondence or representations.
- The supporting documents are attached and cited consecutively.
- Index and list of documents.
In the event the applicant is relying on more than one document, each annexure should be distinctly labelled (e.g., Annexure A-1, A-2, etc.).
Number of Copies and Filing Fee
Under Rule 7:
- Four copies and one original application should be presented by the applicant.
- In e-filing, all the annexures and verification in digital format should be uploaded.
According to the CAT (Procedure) Rules and FAQ on e-filing, 50 are to be paid by the online payment gateway or demand draft in favor of Registrar, Central Administrative Tribunal.
How to File the CAT Case
(a) Physical Filing: The application can be filed at the Registry of the concerned CAT Bench.
Upon submission, the Registry checks for:
- Proper format and jurisdiction,
- Payment of prescribed fee,
- Enclosure of necessary documents.
If any deficiency exists, the Registry issues a defect notice for correction.
(b) E-Filing (Online Method): The CAT introduced e-filing through the official portal efiling.cgat.gov.in.
Steps as per the official CAT E-Filing FAQ:
- Visit the portal and register as an applicant or advocate.
- Log in and select “File New Case.”
- Enter case details as per the application form.
- Upload the petition, annexures, and verification.
- Pay the filing fee online.
- Submit the case and download the acknowledgement slip.
Once filed, the system generates a Diary Number, which can be used to track case status.
Conclusion
Filing a case in the Central Administrative Tribunal is a structured legal process governed by statutory rules. Applicants must adhere to the CAT (Procedure) Rules, 1987, and the guidelines issued through the official CAT e-filing portal. Following the prescribed format, timelines, and documentary requirements ensures that the case is properly registered and effectively adjudicated.
If you still have questions after reading this blog, professional legal assistance can make all the difference. Reach out to Srinivasa Law Firm in Delhi for reliable and experienced CAT representation.
Visit Srinivasa Law – CAT Lawyer in Delhi to have your case handled comprehensively by Adv. Vijay Kumar, a distinguished advocate of the best lawyers in the Delhi High Court, is committed to protecting your rights and securing your career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a retired government employee file a CAT application?
Yes. Retired central government employees can approach CAT for grievances related to pensionary benefits, gratuity, and other post-retirement service matters that arose during their employment.
What happens if I haven't filed a departmental representation first?
Under Section 20 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, exhausting departmental remedies is mandatory before approaching CAT. Filing without this step typically results in dismissal of the OA.
Is there a fee to file a CAT application?
Yes, the prescribed court fee is ₹50, payable by demand draft or online through the e-filing portal at efiling.cgat.gov.in.
Can I file at any CAT bench across India?
No. Your application must be filed at the CAT bench that has territorial jurisdiction over your place of posting or where the cause of action arose. There are 19 benches across India.
Advocate Vijay Kumar is the Founder and Principal Counsel of Srinivas Law House. With LLB and LLM qualifications, he is known for strategic litigation, strong courtroom advocacy, and delivering focused, transparent legal representation across diverse legal matters.
