UPSC Prelims 2009 Q87: Indian Polity – Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
Consider the following statements :
1. Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) was set up during the Prime Ministership of Lal Bahadur
Shastri.
2. The Members for CAT are drawn from both judicial and administrative streams.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
Checking two claims about the Central Administrative Tribunal
The CAT was established to handle service-related disputes, with a specific origin and composition.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. CAT set up during Lal Bahadur Shastri's premiership | Incorrect | The CAT was established in 1985, under a much later Prime Minister (Rajiv Gandhi), not Lal Bahadur Shastri (who was PM in the 1960s) |
| 2. CAT members drawn from both judicial and administrative streams | Correct | CAT's membership genuinely includes members from both the judiciary and the administrative services, blending legal and administrative expertise |
CAT facts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Established | 1985, under the Administrative Tribunals Act |
| Composition | Judicial and administrative members |
Answer: (b) 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. CAT was set up in 1985, long after Lal Bahadur Shastri's premiership, so statement 1 is false.
- (b) CORRECT. CAT's dual judicial-administrative membership is accurately described.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false, so 'both' cannot be correct.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is accurate, so 'neither' is wrong.
Key point
The Central Administrative Tribunal was set up in 1985 (NOT during Lal Bahadur Shastri's 1960s premiership) — but its members genuinely come from both judicial and administrative streams.
Remember
Central Administrative Tribunal: set up in 1985 (not during Shastri's time); members drawn from both judicial and administrative streams.
Common mistakes
- Misplacing CAT's actual 1985 establishment relative to Lal Bahadur Shastri's much earlier tenure.
- Missing the dual-stream membership structure as a genuine CAT feature.
- Confusing CAT's establishment with other, differently-timed administrative reforms.
Exam tip
CAT established in 1985 — NOT during Lal Bahadur Shastri's premiership. Its members do come from both judicial and administrative backgrounds.
Sources
- Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985
- Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976 (Article 323A: administrative tribunals)