Subject: Indian Polity

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), established under Article 323A of the Constitution, has evolved as a significant quasi-judicial body ensuring administrative justice through its independent functioning and specialized jurisdiction over service matters of central government employees.

Historical Evolution and Constitutional Mandate

• Established through the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, CAT aims to provide speedy and cost-effective adjudication of service matters.
• The tribunal exercises powers equivalent to High Courts under Article 226/227 for service-related disputes.
• Currently operates through 19 regular benches across India, ensuring widespread accessibility.

Independent Judicial Authority

• Specialized Jurisdiction: Exclusive authority over service matters of central government employees, ensuring focused expertise.
• Judicial Independence: Functions with powers of civil courts under CPC 1908, maintaining procedural fairness.
• Case Disposal Efficiency: The CAT Jammu Bench demonstrated remarkable efficiency by disposing of 15,537 cases between June 2020 and January 2025.

Recent Developments and Challenges

• Separation of Powers: The 2024 Supreme Court ruling clarified that tribunals cannot direct government policy-making, reinforcing constitutional boundaries.
• Pending Cases: As of December 2022, 80,545 cases were pending across all CAT benches, highlighting the need for expedited disposal.
• Infrastructural Needs: Requires adequate staffing and technological upgradation for better case management.

Safeguards for Independence

• Appointment Process: Members selected through a rigorous process involving judiciary and executive.
• Security of Tenure: Fixed tenure ensures independence in decision-making.
• Administrative Autonomy: Separate budget allocation and administrative staff support independent functioning.

CAT's evolution as an independent judicial authority marks a significant milestone in administrative justice delivery, exemplified by the Jammu bench's disposal of 8,035 cases in 2024 - the highest among all benches. However, continuous efforts are needed to enhance its efficiency through technological integration and capacity building measures like the e-Courts project.