UPSC Mains 2019 GS Paper 2 Q2: model answer
“The Central Administrative Tribunal, which was established for redressal of grievances and complaints by or against central government employees, nowadays is exercising its powers as an independent judicial authority.” Explain.
What the question wants
Explain how the Central Administrative Tribunal now works as an independent judicial body.
How to structure it
Explain a quoted claim: set up, powers, how it became judicial, and limits.
- Origin
- Powers
- Judicial character
- Limits
How to think it through
CAT has the powers of a civil court, its own contempt jurisdiction, and judicial members. That is why it looks independent.
Model answer
Before 1985 a government employee who was wrongly dismissed had to wait years in a High Court queue. The Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, under Article 323A, created the Central Administrative Tribunal to give quick relief.
Powers and jurisdiction
- Recruitment and service matters of Union employees, All India Services and some public bodies.
- 19 benches across the country.
- Powers of a civil court under the CPC; it follows natural justice rather than strict procedure.
- Power to punish for contempt, like a High Court.
How it became an independent judicial authority
- Members are judicial and administrative, chosen by a committee headed by a Supreme Court judge.
- Its decisions bind the government and are enforced like decrees.
- After L. Chandra Kumar (1997), appeals go to a High Court division bench, making it a court of first instance in the judicial hierarchy.
- It reviews government orders on transfers, promotions and pensions, often against the executive.
Limits
Vacancies, dependence on the DoPT for funds and staff, and delays. A National Tribunals Commission, ordered in 2025, would strengthen its independence.
Draw: A ladder: CAT → High Court division bench → Supreme Court.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
Article 323A, Administrative Tribunals Act 1985, CAT, 19 benches, civil court powers, contempt, L. Chandra Kumar 1997, DoPT, National Tribunals Commission.
Where most answers lose marks
- Saying CAT orders cannot be challenged. They can, before a High Court.
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Question text as printed in the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) question paper. The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.
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