What is Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)?

CAT full form in law is Central Administrative Tribunal. It is a specialized judicial body in India that deals with matters relating to the recruitment and service conditions of public servants under the central government. In this blog post, we shall provide our readers with an in-depth understanding about what the Central Administrative Tribunal is.

About Central Administrative Tribunal

The Central Administrative Tribunal, abbreviated as CAT, is a specialized judicial body established in 1985 under Article 323-A of the Constitution of India and the Administrative Tribunals Act 1985. It is tasked with adjudicating disputes related to the recruitment and service conditions of public servants employed by the Union government and other authorities under its control. The tribunal consists of a Chairman - who is either a sitting or retired High Court Judge, and includes both Administrative and Judicial Members who are selected for their years of expertise in relevant fields. 

CAT functions through 17 regular benches and 21 circuit benches across the country, with the objective of delivering speedy and cost-effective justice to aggrieved public servants. While it is not bound by the Code of Civil Procedure, the tribunal follows principles of natural justice and holds contempt powers equivalent to those of a High Court. 

Its independence is maintained by ensuring that the service conditions of its Chairman and Members are comparable to those of High Court Judges. Appeals against CAT’s decisions can be pursued in the respective High Court through writ petitions under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution.

List of CAT Benches

Here is the list of the benches of Central Administrative Tribunal across India:

Composition of CAT

The Central Administrative Tribunal’s composition is as follows:

• Chairman: A retired Supreme Court judge or a former Chief Justice of a High Court serves as the Chairman of the CAT. The Indian President appoints the Chairman. Currently, Hon'ble Chairman Sh. Justice Ranjit Vasantrao More, retired Chief Justice, Meghalaya High Court, heads the The Central Administrative Tribunal (as of May 2025).

• Judicial Members: CAT is made up of Judicial Members who are either retired Chief Justices of High Courts or retired Supreme Court judges. These members support the chairman in making judgments and resolving cases. Overall, CAT has a total of 34 judicial members.

• Administrative Members: Officers having a certain degree of experience and proficiency in administrative areas are also included in the CAT as Administrative Members. The tribunal receives administrative and technical assistance from these members. CAT has a total of 35 administrative members.

Can you Challenge CAT’s Decision?

Yes, CAT’s decision can be challenged in the High Court. You must do this by submitting a writ petition in accordance with Articles 226 and 227 of the Indian Constitution. The writ petition guarantees a check on the High Court's decisions and permits judicial review of CAT findings. 

Conclusion

CAT full form in law is the Central Administrative Tribunal. It is one of the key tribunals of the Indian judicial system. CAT mainly deals with cases related to the recruitment, conditions of service and other service-related disputes of public servants. The Central Administrative Tribunal comprises a chairman, judicial members and administrative members. Decisions of CAT can be challenged in the High Court through a writ petition in accordance with Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Explain the composition of the Central Administrative Tribunal.

A. The Central Administrative Tribunal consists of 1 Chairman, 34 Judicial Members and 35 Administrative Members.

Q2. What is the full form of CAT?

A. In law, the full form of CAT is the Central Administrative Tribunal. 

Q3. Who is the Chairman of CAT?

A. As of May 2025, the Chairman of CAT is Hon'ble Sh. Justice Ranjit Vasantrao More, who is the retired Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court.

Q4. How many judicial members are there in CAT?

A. CAT has a total of 34 judicial members.

Q5. How many administrative members are there in CAT?

A. CAT has 35 administrative members in total.

Q6. Where is the Principal Bench of CAT?

A. The Principal Bench of CAT is in New Delhi, India.

Q7. How can I challenge the decisions of the CAT?

A. You can challenge the decisions of the CAT in the High Court. For this, you need to file a writ petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Indian Constitution.

Author: Kashish Kumar

Ms. Kashish Kumar is a content writer with a background in legal studies and over five years of experience. She’s written extensively on legal topics and supported non-profits like PETA, CRY, and WWF. A passionate reader, she enjoys books and blogs alike.