Rojgar Studies

Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT) has notified vacancies for Chairperson, DRAT Allahabad and Chairperson, DRAT Kolkata posts on a deputation basis, with a tenure of five years or till attaining the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier. Eligible candidates holding qualifications as a Judge of High Court, Indian Legal Service, or Presiding Officer DRT can apply through the offline application process. The completed application form must be submitted through proper channel to Under Secretary (DRT), Department of Financial Services, 3rd Floor Jeevan Deep Building, Sansad Marg, New Delhi on or before 2 November 2026. Pay and conditions are governed by the Tribunal (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021. The selection process involves scrutiny of applications, shortlisting for personal interaction, and final selection based on overall evaluation.

DRAT Chairperson at a Glance

Who Can Apply

Candidates must fulfill the qualifications prescribed under Rule 3 (9) of the Tribunal (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021 as amended from time to time:

• Is, or has been, a Judge of a High Court; or
• Has been a member of the Indian Legal Service with ten years of experience in litigation and has held a post of Additional Secretary or any equivalent or any higher post; or
• Has held the office of Presiding Officer of a Debts Recovery Tribunal for three years.

As per the Tribunal (Conditions of Service) Amendment Rules, 2023, a person holding or who has held the post of Chairperson or Member of any Tribunal is eligible for re-appointment. Serving judges of the Supreme Court or High Court or serving members of an organized service must resign or obtain voluntary retirement from their parent service before joining the Tribunal.

Pay and Terms

The qualifications, eligibility, salary, and other terms and conditions of appointment are governed by the provisions of the Tribunal (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021, as amended from time to time. The tenure is 5 years or up to 70 years of age, whichever is earlier, as per Section 17 (1) (a) of the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2026.

How to Apply for DRAT Chairperson

1. Download the advertisement and prescribed application form from the official Department of Financial Services website.
2. Fill out the bio-data in the proforma provided at Annexure-I along with a signed photograph.
3. Ensure the application is accompanied by the certificate furnished by the employer, head of office, or forwarding authority (Annexure-II).
4. Attach clear photocopies of up-to-date CR/APAR dossiers for at least the last five years (2021-22 to 2025-26) duly attested by a Group A officer, along with cadre clearance, integrity certificate (Annexure-III), and a statement of major or minor penalties for the last ten years if applicable.
5. Send the duly filled original application through proper channel to reach the Under Secretary (DRT), Department of Financial Services, 3rd Floor Jeevan Deep Building, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110001 latest by 5:00 PM on or before 02-11-2026.

Selection Process

The Search-Cum-Section Committee constituted under the Tribunal Reforms Act 2021 will scrutinize or cause to be scrutinized the applications with respect to suitability, giving due weightage to qualifications and experience. Candidates will be shortlisted for personal interaction. Final selection will be based on the overall evaluation by the Committee covering qualifications, experience, and personal interaction.

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