Counting of RTP (Reserved Trained Pool) service for financial upgradation under TBOP/MACP schemes - CAT Cuttack Judgment (OA No. 275/2025)

🏛️ Summary of Directorate Letter (19.05.2026) and CAT Cuttack Judgment (OA No. 275/2025)

Subject: Counting of RTP (Reserved Trained Pool) service for financial upgradation under TBOP/MACP schemes.

📄 Directorate Communication

• The Department of Posts circulated earlier judgments (dated 18.11.2024, 20.01.2025, 20.06.2025, 07.04.2026, and 22.04.2026) that supported the Department’s stand against RTP service counting.
• The latest CAT Cuttack Bench order (09.04.2026) also ruled in favour of the Department, dismissing OA No. 275/2025.
• Circles are instructed to include this judgment in counter replies for all RTP-related cases and defend them effectively.
• Marked as “Most Urgent.”

⚖️ Key Points from CAT Cuttack Bench Judgment

• Applicant: Sri Chandan Kumar Behera, retired postal supervisor, sought to count RTP and induction training periods for TBOP/MACP benefits.
• Respondents: Union of India and Department of Posts.

Tribunal’s Findings:

• The applicant approached the Tribunal after nearly three decades of regular appointment.
• Delay and limitation: Claims were considered stale; representations after long gaps do not revive cause of action.
• Relied on Madras High Court judgment in UOI vs. G. Rajarathinam and earlier CAT Cuttack OA No. 535/2019, both rejecting similar RTP claims.
• Reopening settled service matters would disturb promotional structures and rights of other employees.
• Outcome: OA dismissed as barred by limitation, no costs awarded.

🧾 Directive to Circles

Include:

• CAT Cuttack Bench order dated 09.04.2026 (OA No. 275/2025)
• Previous favorable judgments in all RTP-related counter replies.

F. No. X-18/12/2024-SPN-II

Government of India

Ministry of Communications

Department of Posts (Personnel Division)

Dak Bhawan, New Sansad Marg, New Delhi - 110001 Dated 19th May, 2026

To
All Heads of Circles,

Subject: Previous orders/judgements of Hon'ble CAT/High Court/Supreme Court given in favour of the Department in cases filed by Reserved Trained Pool personnel for counting of their RTP service - reg.

Sir/Madam,

It is informed that Directorate vide letter No. X- 18/12/2024- SPN- II dated 18.11.2024, 20.01.2025, 20.06.2025, 07.04.2026 and 22.04.2026 has circulated the available previous judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court/High Court/Tribunal given in favour of the Department with request to contest/defend the cases filed by the RTP personnel.

Recently Hon'ble CAT, Cuttack Bench vide order dated 09.04.2026 has dismissed OA No. 275/2025 in favour of the Department for regularisation of service rendered during the RTP period for the purpose of granting financial upgradation under the TBOP and MACP Schemes. Relevant part of the order is produced below:

1. Since the factual matrix of the present OA is similar, to the decision of Hon'ble High Court of Madras and the decision rendered by this Tribunal in OA No-535/2019, we do not find any merit in changing the stand taken in them. Accordingly, the OA is dismissed being barred by limitation. No costs
2. The Tribunal examined the matter and observed that the applicant had approached the Tribunal after nearly three decades from the date of regular appointment and only after favourable judgments in certain RTP-related cases were implemented elsewhere. The Tribunal noted that stale claims cannot be revived merely by submitting representations after long delay. Further, while deciding the matter, the Hon'ble Tribunal relied heavily upon the judgment of Hon'ble Madras High Court in Union of India & Ors. vs. G. Rajarathinam and related cases.
3. The Tribunal also referred to its earlier decision in OA No. 535/2019 wherein similar RTP-related claims were rejected on grounds of limitation and delay, observing that settled service matters should not be reopened after several decades as it may adversely affect promotional structures and rights of other employees.
4. The Hon'ble CAT held that the present OA was squarely covered by the aforesaid judgments and that the applicant's claim suffered from gross delay and limitation. Accordingly, the OA was dismissed as barred by limitation, without any order as to costs.
5. In view of the above, all Circles are requested to include the judgement dated 09.04.2026 of Hon'ble CAT, Cuttack Bench in OA No. 275/2025 with above facts along with previously circulated judgements in the counter replies filed in RTP cases and defend the cases effectively.
6. This may be treated as MOST URGENT.

Digitally signed by Yours sincerely, Vinod Kumar Date: 19- 05- 2026 15:31:51 (Vinod Kumar) Assistant Director General (SPN)

Encl: As above.

Copy to: GM, CEPT with request to upload this order at India Post website for information of all Postal Circles

Download PDF