Central Administrative Tribunal Principal Bench New Delhi OA No. 422/2019 MA No. 687/2023 This the 09^th day of January, 2026 Hon’ble Mrs. Harvinder Kaur Oberoi, Member (J)

Hon’ble Dr. Sumeet Jerath, Member(A)

1. RAN VIJAY SINGH AGED ABOUT 59 S/O LATE R.N SINGH, ASST MATEOROLOGIST-1, GROUP-B M-

28/C, METEOROLOGICAL HOUSING COMPLEX LODI ROAD, NEW DELHI-110003

2. ASHA RAM SHARMA AGED ABOUT 59 S/O LATE SH. R.N.

SHARMA ASST. MATEOROLOGIST-1, GROUP-B R/O H.NO.

1/11272, SUBHASH PARK NAVEEN SHAHDARA, DELHI-

110032.

3.ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA AGED ABOUT 58 S/O LATE SH.

K.P SHARMA ASST. MATEOROLOGIST-1, GROUP-B 12-X.

HUDCO PLACE NEW DELHI-110049

4 JITENDRA SINGH AGED ABOUT 58 S/O Late Sh R.A.SINGH ASST MATEOROLOGIST-1, GROUP-B R/O 138, TYPE-IV, SECTOR: 3. SADIQ NAGAR, NEW DELHI-110049

5. SH. PAWAN KUMAR AGED ABOUT 59 S/O Late Sh. RADHEY SHYAM KHAJANCHI ASST MATEOROLOGIST-1, GROUP-B R/O FLAT NO. -7, RAIL VIHAR, PITAMPURA, NEW DELHI-110034.

..Applicant (By Advocates: Mr. Yatendra Sharma)

Versus

1. 1 UNION OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES, THROUGH ITS SECRETARY, PRITHVI BHAWAN IMD CAMPUS, LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI-

110002

2. INDIA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT THROUGH ITS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF METEOROLOGY, MAUSAM BHAWAN, LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI-110002

3 DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING THROUGH ITS SECRETARY, NORTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI-110001

4. UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION THROUGH ITS CHAIRMAN, DHOLPUR HOUSE, NEW DELHI-110001.

... Respondents (By Advocate: Mr. Pradeep Kumar Sharma, Mr. Pradeep Kr.

Singh)

O R D E R(Oral)

Hon’ble Mrs. Harvinder Kaur Oberoi, Member(J)

This OA has been filed by the applicants seeking the following relief:-

“A. Direct the Respondents to convene DPC for the Applicants who are even otherwise eligible for the promotional posts of Scientific Officer -1 (Group-A, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial) and release the promotion list within time frame effective from the due-date.

B. Pass Order or direction commanding the Respondents to produce the record of the Applicants with respect to their promotions to post of Scientific Officer -1 (Group-A, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial).

C. Direct the Respondents to fulfill the mandate of Recruitment Rules which provide one time relaxation for first 151 vacant posts of Scientific Officer-I (Group-A, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial) and give effect by promoting the Applicants as Scientific Officer-1 (Group-A, Gazetted, Non-

Ministerial) with effect from the date of their eligibility.

D. Pass such other order as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the interest of justice.”

2. The applicants, 5 in number, were initially appointed as Senior Observers in the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in 1982, were promoted to the post of Scientific Assistant in 1992 and thereafter to Assistant Meteorologist Grade-II, subsequently redesignated as Meteorologist ‘A’.

3. In the year 2013–2014, the applicants were further promoted as Assistant Meteorologist Grade-I, later redesignated as Meteorologist ‘B’, and placed in PB-2 with Grade Pay of Rs. 4800.

4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the grievance of the applicants arises from non-promotion to the post of Scientific Officer-I (Group-A), despite their eligibility. The Ministry of Earth Sciences, vide order dated

16.12.2014, approved cadre restructuring and creation of 151 posts of Scientific Officer-I; however, no promotions were effected. Although the applicants fulfilled the eligibility conditions under the Recruitment Rules and repeatedly represented through their association, the respondents failed to convene the DPC. He submits that the applicants have since retired without promotion.

5. He contends that pursuant to cadre restructuring approved on 16.12.2014, 151 sanctioned posts of Scientific Officer-I became available, yet no promotions were effected, resulting in grave prejudice to eligible officers. Learned counsel submits that the Recruitment Rules were ultimately notified on 07.03.2018, after which there remained no legal impediment to convene the DPC. In fact, a DPC was