The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has invited applications for 4 existing and anticipated Judicial Member vacancies in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) through Vacancy Circular No. A-11013/1/2025-AT dated 5 November 2026. The Principal Bench of CAT is in New Delhi, while selected Members may be posted to the Principal Bench or any of the Tribunal’s other benches across India. Applications must reach the Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, New Delhi by 5:30 PM on 20 December 2026.
This is a senior legal appointment intended for highly experienced judicial and legal professionals rather than an entry-level recruitment. At a basic level, eligible candidates include serving or former High Court Judges, persons with the prescribed combined service as District Judge and Additional District Judge, advocates with at least ten years of substantial service-matter litigation experience, and eligible Indian Legal Service officers. The post carries ₹2,25,000 fixed pay per month, along with the admissible allowances attached to a Group ‘A’ Government of India officer carrying the same pay. Appointment is for five years or until the age of 67 years, whichever is earlier. Selection is conducted by the Search-cum-Selection Committee through scrutiny, shortlisting and personal interaction; there is no written examination or syllabus for this recruitment.
Recruitment Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Central Administrative Tribunal |
| Selecting department | Department of Personnel and Training |
| Post | Judicial Member |
| Circular | A-11013/1/2025-AT |
| Circular date | 5 November 2026 |
| Vacancies | 4 |
| Application mode | Offline |
| Last date | 20 December 2026, 5:30 PM |
| Pay | ₹2,25,000 fixed per month + admissible allowances |
| Term | 5 years or up to age 67, whichever is earlier |
| Selection | Scrutiny, shortlisting and personal interaction |
| Posting | CAT Principal Bench or other CAT benches |
Vacancy Details
There are 4 existing and anticipated vacancies of Judicial Member in the Central Administrative Tribunal. The circular states that the number of vacancies may vary due to administrative exigencies.
Basic Eligibility
A candidate must satisfy one of the prescribed senior legal/judicial eligibility routes, such as:
- being or having been a Judge of a High Court;
- having served for a combined period of at least ten years as District Judge and Additional District Judge;
- having practised as an advocate for at least ten years with substantial experience in service-matter litigation before CAT, the Armed Forces Tribunal, High Courts or the Supreme Court; or
- being or having been an eligible member of the Indian Legal Service in the prescribed senior grade.
Candidates should read the current vacancy circular and applicable tribunal appointment rules before applying.
Use Regal Naukri’s Eligibility Pre-check only as a preliminary aid. This recruitment depends heavily on senior judicial/legal service history, which the official selection process evaluates directly.
Experience Requirement
This recruitment is experience-driven. Applicants should carefully total qualifying judicial, legal-service or advocacy experience and ensure that supporting records match the route under which they claim eligibility.
The Work Experience Calculator can help organise date ranges from service records, but it does not decide whether a period is legally qualifying under the vacancy circular.
Age / Term
The current vacancy circular does not prescribe a conventional upper age limit for applying.
A selected Judicial Member holds office for five years or until attaining the age of 67 years, whichever is earlier, subject to the applicable tribunal law and appointment conditions.
Salary / Pay
The post carries ₹2,25,000 fixed pay per month, plus allowances admissible to a Group ‘A’ Government of India officer carrying the same pay.
Where an appointee is already drawing pension, the pay is subject to the adjustment rules applicable under the governing tribunal service conditions.
Application Fee
The current vacancy circular does not specify an application fee.
Selection Process
Selection is carried out through the Search-cum-Selection Committee.
The process includes:
- scrutiny of applications for suitability;
- assessment of qualification and experience;
- shortlisting of suitable applicants;
- personal interaction with shortlisted candidates; and
- final recommendation based on the Committee’s overall assessment.
No TA/DA is admissible for attending the personal interaction.
Exam Pattern / Syllabus
There is no written examination in the notified selection process.
Accordingly, there is:
- no written exam pattern;
- no marks scheme;
- no negative marking;
- no written syllabus; and
- no CBT or descriptive paper.
Candidates should prepare for the personal interaction by reviewing their judicial/legal service record, service-law experience, important tribunal-related work and the documents submitted with the application.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Vacancy Circular issued | 5 November 2026 |
| Last date for receipt of application | 20 December 2026, 5:30 PM |
| Personal interaction | To be communicated to shortlisted candidates |
How to Apply for CAT Judicial Member Recruitment 2026
- Visit the Department of Personnel and Training website and locate Vacancy Circular No. A-11013/1/2025-AT for Judicial Member, CAT.
- Read the circular and prescribed annexures completely before filling the form.
- Confirm the legal/judicial eligibility route under which you are applying. The Eligibility Pre-check may help organise a preliminary review.
- Use the Work Experience Calculator to organise service or practice periods from certificates and records where useful.
- Fill the prescribed Annexure-I application neatly in typed form.
- Serving applicants should route the application through the proper channel wherever applicable.
- Arrange employer/forwarding certificates, APAR/CR records, cadre clearance, integrity/vigilance clearance and penalty statements wherever required.
- Review Regal Naukri’s Documents Required for Government Jobs guide before assembling the final postal set.
- Send the original completed application by hand, Speed Post or Registered Post so that it reaches the Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, New Delhi by 5:30 PM on 20 December 2026.
- Retain a complete copy of the application and all supporting documents for the personal-interaction stage.
Documents to Keep Ready
Depending on the applicant’s service status and eligibility route, the application package may include:
- prescribed Annexure-I application form;
- proof of judicial/legal service or advocacy experience;
- educational and professional qualification records;
- employer / forwarding authority certificate;
- CR/APAR records for the prescribed period, where applicable;
- cadre clearance, where applicable;
- vigilance / integrity clearance;
- details of penalties imposed during the prescribed period, if any;
- identity and contact details; and
- other annexures required by the vacancy circular.
Candidate Notes
- These are senior statutory tribunal appointments, not ordinary graduate-level vacancies.
- The 4 vacancies are existing and anticipated and may vary.
- Selected Members may be posted to New Delhi or another CAT bench.
- Applications must reach DoPT by the deadline; postal delay does not extend the closing date.
- Candidates should use only the current 2026 circular and any later official corrigendum or appointment notice.
Important Links
| Link | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Department of Personnel and Training | Official department website |
| Central Administrative Tribunal | CAT official website |
| DoPT Circulars Portal | Official vacancy circular repository |
FAQ
How many CAT Judicial Member vacancies are available?
There are 4 existing and anticipated vacancies.
What is the last date to apply?
The application must reach DoPT by 5:30 PM on 20 December 2026.
What is the salary?
The notified fixed pay is ₹2,25,000 per month, plus applicable allowances.
Who can apply?
Only candidates satisfying the senior judicial/legal eligibility routes in the vacancy circular, such as eligible High Court Judges, senior District Judiciary officers, experienced service-law advocates or qualifying Indian Legal Service officers.
Is there a written examination?
No. Selection is through scrutiny, shortlisting and personal interaction.
Is there any syllabus or exam pattern?
No written exam is notified, so no written syllabus or exam pattern applies.
Where can a selected Judicial Member be posted?
Posting may be at the CAT Principal Bench in New Delhi or another CAT bench.
What is the tenure?
The appointment is for five years or until age 67, whichever is earlier.