Department of Posts Strengthens Defence in RTP Service Regularisation Cases After CAT Cuttack Verdict
CAT Cuttack Dismisses RTP Service Regularisation Claim in Major Relief for Department of Posts
In a significant development concerning long-pending Reserved Trained Pool (RTP) service claims, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Cuttack Bench, has dismissed OA No. 275/2025 filed by a retired postal employee seeking counting of RTP service for financial upgradation and other service benefits.
Download Service Regularisation Cases After CAT Cuttack Verdict
The Department of Posts, through a Directorate letter dated 19 May 2026, has directed all Postal Circles to make use of this latest judgment while defending similar RTP-related cases across the country.
Background of the Case
The applicant, a retired RMS official from Odisha Circle, had sought inclusion of his RTP service and induction training period for granting benefits under TBOP, BCR, and MACP schemes. He argued that his RTP service from 1983 to 1987 should be treated as regular service for seniority, increments, promotions, and pensionary benefits.
The employee also relied upon certain earlier Tribunal and Court judgments where relief had been granted to similarly placed RTP personnel. However, the Department opposed the claim citing delay, limitation, and existing Directorate instructions clarifying that RTP service prior to regular appointment cannot be counted for MACP, promotion, or seniority.
Tribunal’s Key Observations
The CAT Cuttack Bench noted that the applicant approached the Tribunal nearly three decades after regular appointment and only after favourable judgments in some RTP-related matters were implemented elsewhere. The Tribunal observed that stale claims cannot be revived merely by filing representations after long delays.
The Bench relied heavily on the Madras High Court judgment in Union of India vs. G. Rajarathinam and related cases, which held that retrospective benefits for RTP service after decades would create serious administrative and financial complications.
The Tribunal further referred to its earlier decision in OA No. 535/2019, where similar RTP claims were rejected on grounds of limitation and delay. It emphasized that settled service matters should not be reopened after several decades, especially when such decisions could affect promotional structures and rights of other employees.
OA Dismissed as Time-Barred
Concluding that the facts of the present case were similar to earlier judgments favouring the Department, the CAT dismissed the Original Application as barred by limitation. The Bench clearly stated that there was no justification to alter the established legal position in RTP matters.
Directorate Issues Urgent Instructions
Following the judgment, the Directorate has instructed all Postal Circles to include this CAT Cuttack order dated 09.04.2026 along with previously circulated judgments while filing counter replies in RTP-related litigation. The communication has been marked “MOST URGENT” to ensure effective defence of such cases.