Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation

2026 Supreme(Online)(CAT) 5017

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL
Chhabilendra Roul, Member (A), Rajveer Singh Verma, Member (J)
Anup Kumar Sinha – Appellant
Versus
Union Of India – Respondent
O.A. No. 3190/2015

Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Mr. Praveen Kumar Kaushik for Mr. M K Bhardwaj
For the Respondents: Mr. Vijendra Singh

Placement in the Master Craftsman (MCM) grade is a financial incentive for meritorious employees, not a promotion in the service hierarchy; therefore, it does not disqualify an employee from receiving future financial upgradations under the MACP Scheme.

Headnote:(A) MACP Scheme - Master Craftsman (MCM) Grade - Whether placement in MCM grade constitutes a promotion - Court held that MCM grade is a financial incentive and not a promotion - Denial of 2nd MACP benefit based on erroneous classification of MCM as promotion is illegal - Respondents directed to grant Grade Pay of Rs. 4600.

Facts of the case:
Applicants, industrial staff (Fitter, Machinist, etc.) in Ordnance Factory, Dehradun, were placed in MCM grade following a 2003 Presidential sanction. They were denied the benefit of 2nd financial upgradation under the MACP scheme, receiving only a 3% increment instead of the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600, despite completing 20 years of service.

Findings of Court:
Tribunal found that MCM placement lacks attributes of promotion as it involves no change in duties, responsibilities, or hierarchy. The denial of MACP benefits was arbitrary and discriminatory compared to similarly situated employees who received the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600.

Issues: Whether MCM grade placement constitutes a 'promotion' under the MACP Scheme and if denial of 2nd MACP Grade Pay of Rs. 4600 is arbitrary.

Ratio Decidendi: Placement in a grade as a financial incentive without changing duties or hierarchy does not constitute a promotion; therefore, employees remain eligible for MACP financial upgradations.

Result: Original Application allowed; impugned orders quashed; respondents directed to grant arrears and interest if delayed.

Table of Content
1. applicants seek macp benefits citing incorrect denial of grade pay. (Para 1 , 1 , 2 , 3)
2. mcm grade is a financial incentive, not a promotion. (Para 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8)
3. arbitrary denial of benefits violates principles of equality. (Para 9 , 10 , 11 , 12)
4. court directs grant of pay benefits and arrears. (Para 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18)

1. Anup Kumar Sinha, MCM, Aged about 52 years, S / o

Sh. Anjani Kumar Sinha, R/O Doon Hills Colony, Ring

Road, Ladpur, Dehradun-248008,

2. Anil Kumar Virmani, MCM, Aged about 49 years, S/o Sh.

Radhe Krishan, R/o 275, Karan Pur, Old Dalan Wala,

Dehradun-248001

3. Ashok Goswami, MCM, Aged about 52 years, S / o Sh.

Prakash Goswami, R/o H. no. 117, Lane No. 7C, Garwali

Colony, Nehra Gram, Dehradun

4. Bhagwati Prasad Jakhmola, MCM, Aged about 49 years,

S/o Late Sh. M.D. Jakhmola, R/o VIII Kidduwala,

Raipur, Dehradun-248008 (UK).

5. Bhagwati Prasad, MCM, Aged about 49 Years, S/o Late

Sh. D.P. Thapliyal, R/o Type-III-149/4, OFD Estate,

Raipur, Dehradun-248008

6. Bijendra Singh, MCM, Aged about 51 years, S/o Late

Baroo Singh, R/o QA-68/4, OFD Estate, Raipur,

Dehradun-248008

7. Dharmender Kumar, MCM, Aged about 53 years, S/o Sh.

Data Ram, R/o Village Sunder Wala, Raipur, Dehradun 248008

8. Dilip Kumar Sharma, MCM, Aged about 50 years, S/o

Late Sh. Paras Nath Sharma, R/o New Colony

Ranjhawala, Raipur, Dehradun 248008.

9. Dinesh Giri, Chargeman, Aged about 54 years, S/o Late

Sh. Hoshiyar Singh, Vill-Aamwala Tarla, PO Nala Pani

Tapovan, Dehradun-248008

10. Gopal Krishan, MCM, Aged about 48 years, S/o

Late Sh. Vishan Dass, R/ o Uma Vihar, Sapt Rishi Road,

Raiwala, Dehradun-248008

11. Govind Singh, Chargeman Aged about 56 years,

S/o Late Sh. Munna Ram, R/o Vill. Dharmuchak,

Doiwala, Dehradun-248008

12. Hariom Yadav, MCM, Aged about 50 years, S/o Late

Sh. K.P. Yadav, R/o Harrawala, Sangam Vihar,

Dehradun-248008.

13. Hari Singh, Chargeman, Aged about 55 years, S/o

Late Sh. Puran Chand, R/o Vill. & PO Nathanpur,

Dehradun-248008

14. Ishwar Vardhan Singh, Chargeman, Aged about 55

years, S/o Late Sh. D.N. Singh, R/o C-22, Nehru Colony,

Dehradun-248008

15. Kamal Singh, MCM, Aged about 53 years, S/o Late

Sh. Shish Pal Singh, R/o QA-71/4, OFD Estate, Raipur,

Dehradun-248008.

16. Kamal Singh, MCM, Aged about 50 years, S/o Late

Sh. Chandan Singh, R/ o C-37/1, OFD Estate, Raipur,

Dehradun-248008

17. Kirpal Singh, MCM, Aged about 51 years, S/o Sh.

Balbir Singh, R/o C-8/6, Type-III, OFD Estate, Raipur,

Dehradun-248008

18. Manohar Lal, Chargeman, Aged about 56 years, S/o

Late Sh. Mahanand Sharma, R/o 410, Bankhandi Gram,

Rishikesh, Dehradun-248008.

19. Md. Shageer Khan, Chargeman, Aged about 55

years, S/o Late Sh. Abdul Shakoor, R/o Vill. & PO

Mothrowala, Near Panchayat Bhawan, Dehradun

248008.

20. Mohd. Tayab, MCM, Aged about 52 years, S/o Sh.

Ahmed Hussain, R/o C-29/1, New Type-III, OFD Estate,

Raipur, Dehradun-248008

21. Mohan Singh Rawat, MCM, Aged about 51 years,

S/o Late Sh. Amar Singh Rawat, R/ o Village Ladpur,

Near Shiv Temple, Raipur,Dehradun-248008.

22. Narender Singh Rawat, MCM, Aged about 49 years,

S/o Sh. Ram Singh Rawat, R/o Village Majri Mafi,

Mohkampur Kalan, PO IIP, Dehradun-248008

23. Pardeep Kumar, MCM Aged about 48 years, S/o

Late Sh. M.L. Aggarwal, R/o Manjhla Aamwala

(Khaddar), Dehradun-248008

24. Prodyut Kundu, MCM, Aged about 49 years, S/o

Late Sh. Anil Kundu, R/o Geet Kunj, 5 Ladpur, Raipur

Road, Dehradun-248008.

25. Puran Singh, MCM, Aged about 48 years, S/o Late

Sh. Pan Singh, R/o Pushp Vihar, Gujronwali Chowk,

Lane No. 7, Nathwawala, Dehradun 248008

26. Rajeev Kumar, MCM, Aged about 48 years, S/o Sh.

S.P. Khatri, R/o 6/2, General Wing, Prem Nagar,

Dehradun-248007.

27. Rajesh Kumar Bhatnagar, MCM, Aged about 48

years, S/o Sh. Raja Ram Bhatnagar, R/o Shiv Girdhar

Nikunj, Upper Adhoiwala, Sahastra Dhara Road,

Dehradun-248008

28. Rajpal Singh, MCM, Aged about 50 years, S/o Sh.

Ramji Lal, R/o C-3/1, OFD Estate, Raipur, Dehradun

248008

29. Rajpal Singh Rawat, Chargeman, Aged about 53

years, S/o Late Sh. K.S. Rawat, R/o H. No. 39, Cross

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2026 Supreme(Online)(CAT) 5017

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALChhabilendra Roul, Member (A), Rajveer Singh Verma, Member (J)Anup Kumar Sinha – AppellantVersusUnion Of India – RespondentO.A. No. 3190/2015

Placement in the Master Craftsman (MCM) grade is a financial incentive for meritorious employees, not a promotion in the service hierarchy; therefore, it does not disqualify an employee from receiving future financial upgradations under the MACP Scheme.

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL
Chhabilendra Roul, Member (A), Rajveer Singh Verma, Member (J)
Anup Kumar Sinha – Appellant
Versus
Union Of India – Respondent
O.A. No. 3190/2015