The Government of India, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), has invited applications for 8 vacancies in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).
The recruitment includes 4 vacancies for Judicial Members and 4 vacancies for Administrative Members. Selected candidates may be posted at any of the 19 CAT Benches across India, depending on administrative requirements.
The last date for submission of applications is December 20, 2026, by 5:30 PM.
CAT Recruitment 2026: Important Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Recruiting Department | Department of Personnel & Training |
| Ministry | Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions |
| Organisation | Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) |
| Judicial Members | 4 |
| Administrative Members | 4 |
| Total Vacancies | 8 |
| Posting Location | Any of 19 CAT Benches |
| Application Mode | Prescribed application format |
| Last Date | December 20, 2026 |
| Last Time | 5:30 PM |
CAT Recruitment 2026: Post-Wise Eligibility Criteria
This recruitment is meant for senior judicial and administrative professionals. It is not an open recruitment examination for fresh law graduates or ordinary government job aspirants.
- Judicial Member – 4 Vacancies for CAT Recruitment 2026
Candidates must satisfy any one of the following eligibility conditions:
Eligible category | Required qualification/experience |
| High Court Judge | Must be or have been a Judge of a High Court |
| District Judge | Must have served as District Judge and Additional District Judge for a combined period of 10 years |
| Advocate | At least 10 years of experience as an advocate, with substantial litigation experience in service matters before CAT, Armed Forces Tribunal, High Court or Supreme Court |
| Indian Legal Service | Must be or have been a member of Indian Legal Service in Grade I or above |
Administrative Member – 4 Vacancies
The Administrative Member position is intended for senior government officers.
Eligibility requirement:
- Must have held the post of Additional Secretary to the Government of India or an equivalent post.
- The equivalent post must carry pay not less than that of Additional Secretary.
- Applicants must fulfil the conditions specified in the DoPT vacancy circular.
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CAT Member Salary 2026
The advertised posts carry a fixed monthly remuneration of ₹2,25,000, along with admissible allowances.
| Post | Monthly fixed pay |
| Judicial Member | ₹ 2,25,000 |
| Administrative Member | ₹ 2,25,000 |
The applicable service conditions, allowances and pension-related provisions will be governed by the relevant rules and appointment terms.
Selection Process for CAT Recruitment 2026
The selection process is different from regular government recruitment examinations.
The selection involves:
- Application scrutiny: Applications and supporting documents will be examined against the prescribed eligibility conditions.
- Shortlisting: Eligible candidates will be shortlisted by the Search-cum-Selection Committee.
- Personal interaction: Shortlisted candidates may be called for personal interaction.
- Final recommendation: Selection will be based on the prescribed committee process and applicable appointment rules.
Important: Candidates should not prepare for a conventional written examination. The recruitment is based on senior-level professional experience, eligibility and the prescribed selection procedure.
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Tenure of CAT Members
The appointment is for a term of five years or until the member attains the age of 67 years, whichever is earlier, subject to the applicable rules.
Members may be considered for reappointment as per the prescribed provisions.
How to Apply for CAT Recruitment 2026?
Applications must be submitted in the prescribed format available on the official websites of DoPT and CAT.
Application procedure:
- Visit the official DoPT website.
- Open the CAT Judicial Member or Administrative Member vacancy circular.
- Download the prescribed application form.
- Read the eligibility conditions carefully.
- Fill in the application form and attach the required supporting documents.
- Serving Central/State Government officers must route their applications through their Cadre Controlling Authority.
- Send the completed application by hand, Speed Post or Registered Post.
Application Submission Address
To,
The Secretary,
Department of Personnel and Training,
Kartavya Bhawan-3, Central Secretariat,
Kartavya Path, New Delhi – 110001.
Deadline: 20 December 2026
Last time: 5:30 PM
Applications must reach the department by the specified deadline. Merely dispatching the application before the deadline is not sufficient.
Important Instructions for Applicants
- There are 4 Judicial Member and 4 Administrative Member vacancies.
- Members can be posted at any of the 19 CAT Benches across India.
- Applications must be submitted in the prescribed format.
- Serving officers must apply through their Cadre Controlling Authorities.
- Candidates should carefully check the eligibility conditions before submitting applications.
- The notification does not invite applications through an ordinary online recruitment examination process.
Important Links
| Particulars | Website |
| DoPT Official Website | dopt.gov.in |
| CAT Official Website | cgat.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many vacancies are available under CAT Recruitment 2026?
There are 8 vacancies, including 4 Judicial Member and 4 Administrative Member positions.
2. What is the last date to apply for CAT Recruitment 2026?
The last date is December 20, 2026, up to 5:30 PM.
3. What is the salary of a CAT Member?
The fixed monthly pay is ₹2,25,000, along with admissible allowances.
4. Can an ordinary LLB graduate apply for Judicial Member?
No. Candidates must fulfil one of the specified senior judicial or legal experience requirements.
5. Can a serving government officer apply for Administrative Member?
Yes, provided the officer fulfils the prescribed eligibility conditions and submits the application through the appropriate channel.
6. Will CAT conduct a written examination?
This is a senior-level appointment process involving scrutiny, shortlisting and personal interaction, not a conventional competitive written examination.