Job Opportunity: Chairperson At Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunal

Table of Contents

• Role and governing framework
• Essential eligibility criteria
• Tenure, age, and conditions of service
• Application process and documents
• Selection process
• Why this position is significant

Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT) has invited applications for the post of Chairperson, with appointments governed by the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021 and the Tribunal (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021; applications must reach the Department of Financial Services, New Delhi, on or before 8 December 2025.​

Role and governing framework

The Chairperson of a DRAT heads the appellate body that hears appeals against orders of Debts Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) under the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993, ensuring expeditious adjudication of high-value debt recovery disputes involving banks and financial institutions. The post is a high-level judicial/tribunal leadership position and is filled in accordance with Rule 3(9) of the Tribunal (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021 and the eligibility conditions in the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021.

Under Section 5(1) of the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021, a DRAT Chairperson holds office for four years or until attaining the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier, subject to applicable re-appointment provisions.​

Essential eligibility criteria

As highlighted in the vacancy circular and Rule 3(9), a person is not qualified for appointment as Chairperson of a Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunal unless they satisfy one of three alternative routes:​

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

Additionally, under the proviso to Section 3(1) of the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021 (as referenced in the vacancy circular), a person who has not completed the age of 50 years as on the last date of submission of applications is not eligible for appointment as Chairperson.​

Tenure, age, and conditions of service

• Tenure: As per Section 5(1) of the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021, the Chairperson of a DRAT shall hold office for a term of four years or until the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.​
• Age: Minimum age 50 years (on the application closing date) and maximum tenure capped at 70 years; specific age and service conditions are further governed by the Tribunal (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021.​
• Other conditions: Applicants must not have any financial or other interest likely to prejudicially affect their functions, and service conditions (including salary, allowances, leave, and pension) are regulated under the tribunal service rules.​

Application process and documents

The appointment is being processed by the Ministry of Finance, Department of Financial Services (DFS), through a vacancy circular inviting applications in a prescribed format.​

• Mode of application:
  • Eligible and willing candidates must submit their application in the prescribed proforma (bio-data and annexures) via hard copy.​
  • The completed application should be addressed to: Under Secretary (DRT),
    Department of Financial Services,
    3rd Floor, Jeevan Deep Building,
    Sansad Marg, New Delhi – 110001.​
• Last date:
  • Applications must reach the above address on or before 8 December 2025; late or incomplete applications are liable to be rejected.​
• Supporting documents (as reflected in recent DRAT Chairperson vacancy circulars):​
  • Detailed bio-data (Annexure I) with personal details, service particulars, and experience.
  • Certification by employer/cadre controlling authority (Annexure II).
  • Attested photocopies of CR/APAR dossiers for the last five years.
  • Vigilance and integrity certificates.
  • Cadre clearance (for serving officers).
  • Statement of major/minor penalties imposed in the last ten years, if any.

Applicants are advised to carefully follow the proforma and documentation checklist in the official DFS vacancy circular hosted on the Ministry’s “Vacancies” page.​

Selection process

The selection is conducted by a Search-cum-Selection Committee constituted under the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021.​

• The Committee may consider candidates responding to the vacancy circular and, where necessary, also search for suitable eligible persons.​
• Evaluation focuses on merit, taking into account judicial/tribunal experience, Indian Legal Service/Additional Secretary-level service, or DRT Presiding Officer tenure, along with litigation and adjudicatory record.​
• Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interaction or interview; no TA/DA is typically admissible for such interactions, as reflected in similar DRAT chairperson notifications.​

Why this position is significant

DRAT Chairpersons play a pivotal role in:​

• Ensuring speedy and fair appellate adjudication in high-value debt recovery disputes affecting the banking and financial sector.
• Providing judicial oversight over DRT decisions and harmonising interpretations of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act and allied financial laws across their jurisdiction.
• Supporting systemic efficiency in recovery of non-performing assets, a key component of financial-sector stability and public finance management.

For senior judges, top-tier Indian Legal Service officers, and experienced Presiding Officers of DRTs, this position offers an opportunity to lead an important national tribunal at the intersection of banking law, insolvency, and public finance.​

Official Notification: https://highcourt.hp.gov.in/pdf/vacancy_cirular_01112025.pdf