Union Of India & Ors. vs Rajesh Kumar P & Ors.

Devan Ramachandran, J.

We are considering these Original Petitions together, since the factual and legal aspects involved are identical, if not similar; while all the claimants – respondents herein, stake claim for benefits that are common.

For the sake of convenience, we will treat OP(CAT) No.153/2025 as the lead case and all references to documents shall be as mentioned therein.

The sole question in these cases is whether the respondents were entitled to exercise option to continue in the old Pension Scheme, namely that covered by the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021).

Admittedly, through Annexure A5 Office Memorandum dated 03.03.2023, employees appointed against posts/vacancies advertised/notified for recruitment/appointment prior to the date of notification of National Pension Scheme (NPS), namely, 22.12.2003, were given an option to remain in the old scheme – and is covered under the National Pension Scheme on joining service on or after 01.01.2004, which option had to be made not later than 31.08.2023.

The party respondents assert that, even though they made the option as above, they were not given the benefits thereunder; and hence were forced to approach the learned Central Administrative Tribunal, ('Tribunal' for short), Ernakulam Bench, through various original applications.

The defence built by the petitioners against the afore claim is that, even going by Annexure A5, only those employees who had been appointed against the post or vacancy notified for recruitment prior to 01.01.2004, will be entitled to make the one-time option. They assert that since the party respondents were appointed consequent to a notification, namely Annexure A3, dated 05.01.2004, they are not even entitled to exercise an option, much less continue under the old scheme.

The learned Tribunal has found in favour of the party respondents, to thus allow all the original applications; against which, these Original Petitions have been filed.

Sri.O.M.Shalina, learned Deputy Solicitor General of India, instructed by Sri.T.V.Vinu – learned Central Government Counsel, reiteratingly, argued that, when the respondents have not been able to establish that they were appointed consequent to a notification issued prior to 01.01.2004, the learned Tribunal ought not to have given them any benefit. She predicated that the first notification of the vacancies - against which the party respondents have been appointed - is Annexure A3 dated 05.01.2004; and consequently, that the very edifice of their claim stands obliterated.

Sri.Vineeth Komalachandran and Sri.Vishnu S.Chempazhanthiyil – appearing for the party respondents, in response, submitted that the afore assertion - that there was no notification prior to Annexure A3 - is incorrect; and that, as found by the learned Tribunal, such a notification is born from the files of the Department, produced along with Annexure A2. They argued that the learned Tribunal was, therefore, without error in having allowed the original applications; and prayed that these Original Petitions be dismissed.

It is ineluctable from the afore narrative of facts and submissions that the sole aspect to be ascertained and discerned is whether the party respondents were appointed pursuant to a notification of vacancies prior to 01.01.2004 or otherwise.

As noticed above, the petitioners rely upon Annexure A3 notification, to assert that this was the first notification and since it is dated 05.01.2003, the claims of the party respondents do not have any legs to stand on.

The learned Tribunal has, however, found that Annexure A3 cannot be a notification notifying the vacancies to the post; but, at the best, a notification informing candidates of the examination to be conducted. It then read Annexure A2, to hold that the notification must have been issued much earlier; but, in the absence of such being made available by the petitioners, concluded that the party respondents are entitled to relief.

We cannot find fault in the approach adopted by the learned Tribunal because, when one reads Annexure A3 carefully, it solely says that the examination for filling up of the vacancies in the post in question are notified to 28.03.2004. As per Annexure A5 Office Memorandum, the benefit offered to an employee to exercise option, to continue in the old pension scheme, is dependent on whether he/she has been appointed “against a post or vacancy which was advertised/notified for recruitment/appointment, prior to the date of notification for National Pension Scheme i.e. 22.12.2003 and is covered under the National Pension Scheme on joining service on or after 01.01.2004” (sic).

It is admitted, without reservation, that the party respondents were all appointed after 01.01.2004; and as said above, the only controversy is whether such appointments were made based on a notification made prior to that date.

We find favour with the observations of the learned Tribunal that Annexure A3 cannot be seen to be the notification issued by the Authorities calling for candidates to fill up the vacancies; but is luculently one that notifies the candidates of the selection examination.

This is crucial because, as already noticed, Annexure A5 does not talk about a notification that notifies examination, but which notifies the post or the vacancy in question.

There is no input made available by the petitioners as to the notification issued by them notifying the posts or vacancies; but they rely solely on Annexure A3, which is one that notifies the examination for the purpose of selection to it.

In contra-distinction, Annexure A3 probabalises that the notification notifying the vacancies was one issued prior to Annexure A3; and one cannot find such a holding by the learned Tribunal to be in error in the circumstances presented. In such circumstances, we obtain no reason to intervene; and consequently dismiss all these Original Petitions.

It is at the request of Sri.T.V.Vinu – learned Central Government Counsel, that we have listed this matter today for being spoken to.

Sri.T.V.Vinu submitted that, since the respondent had, before the learned Tribunal, sought the benefit of Annexure A3 final order, which has been set aside by this Court through Ext.P10, no other prayer sought for by her could have been granted.

Sri.Vishnu S.Chempazhanthiyil - learned counsel for the respondent, however, submitted that his client had filed the original application at a time when Annexure A3 final order of the learned Tribunal was in force; but, when it was set aside through Ext.P10 judgment of this Court, she amended the original application, to include prayer No.7 – praying that Annexure A7 be set aside. He explained that it was thus that the learned Tribunal allowed the original application - as was done in the case of five other connected matters - through a common order, which is under challenge in this Original Petition. He asserted that, therefore, no modification of the judgment is necessary.

We find the afore explanation of Sri.Vishnu S.Chempazhanthiyil to be tenable because, even when multiple reliefs are sought, it is possible that judicial Forums can allow the matter accepting one of them, as long as they are not contrary to each other.

In this case, the learned Tribunal did not consider prayer No.3; and in any event, the same is not in conflict with prayer No.7, as brought in through the amendment.

Therefore, we find no reason to differ from our view.

Annexure A1 A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO.B/STAFF GEN/2022 DATED 30.10.2023 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE 1 ST APPLICANT

Annexure A1(a) A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO. B/STAFF GEN/2022 DATED 30.10.2023 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE 2ND APPLICANT

Annexure A1(b) A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO.B/STAFF GEN/2022 DATED 30.10.2023 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE 3RD APPLICANT

Annexure A1(c) A TRUE COPY OF` THE COMMUNICATION NO. B/STAFF GEN/2022 DATED 30.10.2023 ISSUED- BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE 4TH APPLICANT

Annexure A2 A TRUE COPY OF THE INSTRUCTION NO. 60-16/2002-SPB-I DATED 18.09.2003 ALONG WITH THE VACANCY POSITION PUBLISHED ON BEHALF OF THE LST RESPONDENT ISSUED UNDER RTI ACT ALONG WITH TRUE TYPED COPY

Annexure A2(a) A TRUE COPY OF THE FILE NOTING ISSUED UNDER RTI ACT FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT OF ARMEXURE A2 TILL THE APPROVAL FOR THE PUBLICATION OF NOTIFICATION FOR POSTMAN EXAMINATION ON 12.02.2003

Annexure A3 A TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION NO RECTT/12-2/2002 DATED 05.01.2004 (ERRONEOUSLY TYPED AS 05.01.2003 PUBLISHED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT AND TRUE TYPED COPY

Annexure A4 A TRUE COPY OF THE APPOINTMENT MEMO NQ.8/10-20/03 DATED 09.07.2004 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT

Annexure A5 A TRUE COPY OF THE O.M. NO. 57/05/2021-P & PW(B) DATED 03.03.2023 ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PENSION AND PENSIONERS' WELFARE

Annexure A6 A TRUE COPY OF THE MEMO NO. 34/NPS TO OPS/2023-24 DATED 30.11.2023 ISSUED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POST OFFICES, MANIPURI DIVISION AND TRUE TYPED COPY

Annexure A7 A TRUE COPY OF THE OPTION SUBMITTED BY THE 4TH APPLICANT TO THE 4TH RESPONDENT ON 14.03 .2023

Exhibit P1 A TRUE COPY OF THE O.A. NO.180/00265/2024, DATED 10.04.2024 FILED BY THE RESPONDENTS HEREIN BEFORE THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, ERNAKULAM BENCH,

Exhibit P2 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY STATEMENT IN O.A. NO.180/00265/2024, DATED 12.09.2024, FILED BEFORE THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, ERNAKULAM BENCH, BY THE PETITIONERS HEREIN,

Exhibit P3 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 16.09.2025 IN O.A.NO.180/00265/2024 OF THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, ERNAKULAM BENCH

Annexure A1 A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO. C/PEN/MISC DATED 24.07.2023 ISSUED BY THE 3'D RESPONDENT TO THE APPLICANT

Annexure A2 A TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT PAGES OF THE COMMUNICATION NO. RECTT/26-3/2001 DATED 26.12.2002 ISSUED BY THE 2-D RESPONDENT

Annexure A3 A TRUE COPY OF THE INSTRUCTION NO. 60-16/2002-SPB-I DATED 18.09.2003 ALONG WITH THE VACANCY POSITION PUBLISHED ON BEHALF OF THE LST RESPONDENT ISSUED UNDER RTI ACT

Annexure 4 A TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION NO. RECU/12-2/2002 DATED 05.01.2004 (ERRONEOUSLY TYPED AS LOL _DB' 05.01.2003 PUBLISHED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT

Annexure A5 A . TRUE COPY OF THE MEMO NO. B2/EXAM/PM/2004 DATED 22.07.2004 ISSUED BY THE 3'D RESPONDENT TO THE APPLICAN

Annexure A6 A TRUE COPY OF THE FILE NOTING ISSUED UNDER RTI ACT FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT OF ANNEXURE A2 TILL THE APPROVAL FOR THE PUBLICATION OF NOTIFICATION FOR POSTMAN EXAMINATION ON 12.12.2003

Annexure A7 A TRUE COPY OF THE O.M. NO. 57/05/202 1-P & PW(B) DATED 03.03.2023 ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PENSION AND PENSIONERS’ WELFARE

Annexure A8 A TRUE COPY OF THE OPTION SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT TO THE 3RD RESPONDENT ON 12.07.2023

Annexure A9 TRUE COPY OF THE MEMO NO. 34/NPS TO OPS/2023-24 DATED 30.11.2023 ISSUED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POST OFFICES, MANIPURI DIVISION

Annexure R1(a) TRUE COPY OF MEMO NO. RECTT/3-2/2003 DATED 15.01.2004 ALONG WITH TRUE TYPED COPY

Annexure R1(b) TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT IN OP(CAT) 258/2016 FILED BEFORE THE HON'BLE HIGH COURT OF KERALA

Annexure A10 TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY NO. R&E/1-90/RTI/DLGS DATED 03.06.20224 ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE CHIEF POSTMASTER GENERAL, KARNATAKA CIRCLE TO THE APPLICANT

Exhibit P1 A TRUE COPY OF THE O. A. NO.180/00238./2024, DATED 10.04.2024 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT HEREIN BEFORE THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, ERNAKULAM BENCH

Exhibit P2 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY STATEMENT IN O.A. NO.180/00238/2024, DATED 02.07.2024, FILED BEFORE THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, ERNAKULAM BENCH, BY THE PETITIONERS HEREIN

Exhibit P3 A TRUE COPY OF THE REJOINDER IN O. A. NO.180/00238/2024 DATED 20.01.2025 FILED BEFORECENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, ERNAKULAM BENCH

Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF THE ADDITIONAL REPLY STATEMENT IN O.A. NO.180/00238/2024 DATED 20.01.2025

Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 16.09.2025 IN O. A. NO.180/00238/2024 OF THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, ERNAKULAM BENCH

Annexure A5 True copy of the Memo No. B2/Exam/Pm/2004 dated 22.07.2004 issued by the 3rd Respondent to the Applicant

Annexure A6 True typed copy of the file noting issued under RTI Act from the date of receipt of Annexure A2 till the approval for the publication of notification for Postman Examination on 12.12.2003

Annexure A1 A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO. BB/MISC/2023 DATED 24.05.2023 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE 1ST APPLICANT IN THE OA

Annexure A1(a) A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO. BB/MISC/2023 DATED 24.05.2023 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE 2ND APPLICANT

Annexure A1(b) A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO. BB/MISC/2023 DATED 24.05.2023 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE 3RD APPLICANT

Annexure A1(c) A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO. BB/MISC/2023 DATED 24.05.2023 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE 4TH APPLICANT

Annexure A2 A TRUE COPY OF THE INSTRUCTION NO. 60-16/2002-SPB-I DATED 18.09.2003 ALONG WITH THE VACANCY POSITION PUBLISHED ON BEHALF OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT ISSUED UNDER RTI ACT ALONG WITH TRUE TYPED COPY OF ANN. A2

Annexure A3 A TRUE COPY OF THE FILE NOTING ISSUED UNDER RTI ACT FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT OF ANNEXURE A2 TILL THE APPROVAL FOR THE PUBLICATION OF NOTIFICATION FOR POSTMAN EXAMINATION ON 12.02.2003 ALONG WITH TRUE TYPED COPY OF ANN. A3

Annexure A4 A TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION NO. RECTT/12-2/2002 DATED 05.01.2004 (ERRONEOUSLY TYPED AS 05.01.2003 PUBLISHED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT

Annexure A5 A TRUE COPY OF THE SELECT LIST PUBLISHED AS PER MEMO NO. BB/27/EXAM/2003 DATED 28.06.2004 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT

Annexure A6 A TRUE COPY OFTHE O.M. NO. 57/05/2021-P & PW(B) DATED 03.03.2023 ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PENSION AND PENSIONERS’ WELFARE

Annexure A7 A. TRUE COPY OF THE MEMO NO. 34/NPS TO OPS/2023-24 DATED 30.11.2023 ISSUED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OFPOST OFFICES, MANIPURI DIVISION ALONG WITH TRUE TYPED COPY OF ANN. A7

Annexure A8 A TRUE COPY OF THE OPTION SUBMITTED BY THE 1ST APPLICANT TO THE 4TH RESPONDENT ON 17.04.2023 ALONG WITH TRUE TYPED COPY OF ANN. A8

Annexure R1 TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 14.11.2014 IN O.A.NO. 180/495/2013

Exhibit P1 A TRUE COPY OF THE O.A. NO.180/00268/2024, DATED 10.04.2024 FILED BY THE RESPONDENTS HEREIN BEFORE THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL,

Exhibit P2 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY STATEMENT IN O.A. NO. 180/00268/2024, DATED 20.09.2024, FILED BEFORE THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, EMAKULAM BENCH,

Exhibit P3 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 16.09.2025 IN O.A. NO. 180/00268/2024 OF THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL,

Annexure A1 A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO. B/STAFF GEN/2022 DATED 30.10.2023 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO 1ST APPLICANT

Annexure A1(a) A TRUE COPY OFTHE COMMUNICATION NO. BB/MISC/2023 DATED 24.05.2023 ISSUED BY THE 5TH RESPONDENT TO THE 2ND APPLICANT

Annexure A9 A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO. RECTT/4-3/MISC/2023 DATED 25.07.2023 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT TO THE 2ND APPLICANT

Annexure A2 A TRUE COPY OF THE INSTRUCTION NO. 60-16/2002-SPB-I DATED 18.09.2003 ALONG WITH THE VACANCY POSITION PUBLISHED ON BEHALF OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT ISSUED UNDER RTI ACT ALONG WITH TRUE TYPED COPY

Annexure A3 A TRUE COPY OF THE FILE NOTING ISSUED UNDER RTI ACT FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT OF ANNEXURE A2 TILL THE APPROVAL FOR THE PUBLICATION OF NOTIFICATION FOR POSTMAN EXAMINATION ON 22.12.2003 ALONG WITH TRUE TYPED COPY OF ANN. A3

Annexure A4 A TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION NO. RECTT/12-2/2002 DATED 05.01.2004 (ERRONEOUSLY TYPED AS 05.01.2003 PUBLISHED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT

Annexure A5 A TRUE COPY OF THE O.M. NO. 57/05/2021-P & PW(B) DATED 03.03.2023 ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PENSION AND PENSIONERS’ WELFARE

Annexure A6 A TRUE COPY OF THE MEMO NO. 34/NPS TO OPS/2023-24 DATED 30.11.2023 ISSUED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POST OFFICES, MANIPURI DIVISION ALONG WITH TRUE TYPED COPY OF ANN. A6

Annexure A7 A TRUE COPY OF THE OPTION SUBMITTED BY THE 2ND APPLICANT TO THE 5TH RESPONDENT ON 12.04.2023

Annexure A8 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DATED 30.05.2023 SUBMITTED BY THE 2ND APPLICANT TO THE 2ND RESPONDENT

Exhibit P1 A TRUE COPY OF THE O.A. NO.180/00331/2024, DATED 13.06.2024 FILED BY THE RESPONDENTS HEREIN BEFORE THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL FILED BY THE RESPONDENTS HEREIN BEFORE THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, EMAKULAM BENCH

Exhibit P2 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY STATEMENT IN O.A. NO. 180/00331/2024, DATED 04.09.2024, FILED BEFORE THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, EMAKULAM BENCH,

Exhibit P3 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 16.09.2025 IN O.A. NO. 180/00331/2024 OF THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, EMAKULAM BENCH

Annexure A1 A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO. B2/GL DATED 30.10.2023 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT TO THE 1ST APPLICANT

Annexure A1(a) A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO. B2/GL DATED 30.10.2023 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT TO THE 2ND APPLICANT

Annexure A1(b) A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO. B2/CCS(P) RULE/DLG DATED 24.07.2023 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE 3RD APPLICANT

Annexure A1(c) A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO. BL/51/DLG DATED 10.11.2023 ISSUED BY THE 5TH RESPONDENT TO THE 4TH APPLICANT

Annexure A1(d) A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO. B/STAFF GEN/2022 DATED 30.10.2023 ISSUED BY THE 6TH RESPONDENT TO THE 5TH APPLICANT

Annexure A2 A TRUE COPY AND THE TYPED COPY OF THE INSTRUCTION NO. 60- 16/2002-SPB-I DATED 18.09.2003 ALONG WITH THE VACANCY POSITION PUBLISHED ON BEHALF OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT ISSUED UNDER RTI ACT

Annexure A3 A TRUE COPY AND TYPED COPY OF THE FILE NOTING ISSUED UNDER RTI ACT FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT OF ANNEXURE A2 TILL THE APPROVAL FOR THE PUBLICATION OF NOTIFICATION FOR POSTMAN EXAMINATION ON 22.12.2003

Annexure A4 A TRUE COPY OF THE MEMO NO. B2/19/EXAM/03 DATED 21.07.2004 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT TO THE APPLICANTS 1 AND 2 INTIMATING THEIR APPOINTMENT AS POSTMAN ON COMPLETION OFTRAINING

Annexure A5 A TRUE COPY OF THE MEMO B2/RECTT/POSTMAN/2003 DATED 02.07.2004 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE 3RD APPLICANT

Annexure A6 A TRUE COPY OF THE MEMO NO. B2/19/EXAM/03 DATED 31.08.2004 ISSUED BY THE 6TH RESPONDENT TO THE 5TH APPLICANT

Annexure A7 A TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION NO. RECTT/12-2/2002 DATED 05.01.2004 (ERRONEOUSLY TYPED AS 05.01.2003 PUBLISHED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT

Annexure A8 A TRUE COPY OF THE O.M. NO. 57/05/2021-P & PW(B) DATED 03.03.2023 ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OFPENSION AND PENSIONERS’ WELFARE

Annexure A9 A TRUE COPY OF THE OPTION SUBMITTED BY THE 4TH APPLICANT TO THE 5TH RESPONDENT ON 10.07.2023

Annexure A10 A TRUE COPY AND THE TYPED COPY OF THE MEMO NO. 34/NPS TO OPS/2023-24 DATED 30.11.2023 ISSUED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OFPOST OFFICES, MANIPURI DIVISION

Exhibit P1 A TRUE COPY OF THE O.A. NO.180/00247/2024, DATED 10.04.2024 FILED BY THE RESPONDENTS HEREIN BEFORE THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL,ERNAKULAM BENCH

Exhibit P2 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY STATEMENT IN O.A. NO. 180/00247/2024, DATED 24.09.2024, FILED BEFORE THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, EMAKULAM BENCH

Exhibit P3 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 16.09.2025 IN O.A. NO. 180/00247/2024 OF THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, EMAKULAM BENCH

Annexure R1 TRUE COPY OF CASE STATUS DOWNLOADED FROM THE WEBSITE OF THE HON'BLE HIGH COURT OF KERALA IN OP(CAT) 304/2016

Annexure R2 TRUE COPY OF COMMON ORDER DATED 3 07.09.2018 IN OP(CAT) 85/2016 AND OTHERS

Annexure R3 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 18/1/2017 IN OP(CAT) 327/2016

Annexure R4 A TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 28.01.2019 IN OA 179/2016 OF THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL ERNAKULAM BENCH

Annexure R5 A TRUE COPY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING OFFICE MEMORANDUM DATED 16.05.2001 ALONG WITH TRUE TYPED COPY

Annexure R6 TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION DATED 03.03.2004

Annexure R7 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 06.10.2023 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT IN THE OA

Annexure A1 TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION NO. B/RECTI/PA/2004 DATED 29.10.2004 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT ALONG WITH TRUE TYPED COPY

Annexure A2 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.B/RECTT/PA/2004 DATED 29.10.2004 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT.

Annexure A3 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 15.02.2016 IN O.A.NO. 180/00020/2015 OF THE CAT, ERNAKULAM BENCH

Annexure A4 TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DATED 25.4.2016 TO THE 2ND RESPONDENT.

Annexure A5 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 27.3.2017 IN W.P(C)NO. 2810/2016 OF THE HON’BLE HIGH COURT OF DELHI,

Annexure A6 TRUE COPY OF THE O.M.NO.57/04/2019- P&PW(B) DATED 17.02.2020 ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PENSION AND PW ALONG WITH TRUE TYPED COPY

Annexure A7 TRUE COPY OF THE O.M.NO, 57/05/2021- P&PW(B) DATED 03.03.2023 ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PENSION AND PENSIONERS’ WELFARE.

Annexure A8 TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION PUBLISHED VIDE NO.RECTT/4-3/2002 DATED 26.11.2003 ISSUED BY THE ASST. DIRECTOR (RECTT), OFFICE OF THE CPMG, KERALA CIRCLE, TRIVANDRUM,

Annexure A9 TRUE COPY OF THE D.O.NO. 60-29-2013 SPB-I DATED 01.11.2003 ISSUED BY THE DY. DIRECTOR GENERAL (P), DEPARTMENT OF POSTS, MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS ALONG WITH TRUE TYPED COPY

Annexure A10 TRUE COPY OF THE D.O.NO. 60-29/2003/SPB-I DATED 01.11.2003 ISSUED BY THE DY. DIRECTOR GENERAL (P) , DEPARTMENT OF POSTS, MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS

Annexure A11 TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DATED 04.08.2023 SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT TO THE 3RD RéSPONDENT.

Exhibit P1 A TRUE COPY OF THE O.A. NO.180/01063/2018, DATED 16.12.2018(WITHOUT ITS ANNEXURES), FILED BEFORE THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, ERNAKULAM BENCH, BY THE RESPONDENT HEREIN

Exhibit P2 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY STATEMENT IN O.A. NO.180/01063/2018, DATED 28.05.2019, FILED BEFORE THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, ERNAKULAM BENCH, BY THE PETITIONERS HEREIN,

Exhibit P3 A TRUE COPY OF THE REJOINDER DATED 25.09.2023 IN O.A. NO.180/01063/2018 FILED BEFORE THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, ERNAKULAM BENCH BY THE RESPONDENT HEREIN

Exhibit P4 A TRUE COPY OF M.A./201/2024 (FOR AMENDMENT) IN O.A.NO.180/01063/2018, DATED 03.03.2024 (WITHOUT ANNEXURES)

Exhibit P5 A TRUE COPY OF 0.A.NO.180/01063/2018 (AMENDED), DATED 30.06.2024 SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT, KOLLAM DIVISION, SUPERINTENDENT OF POST OFFICN, KOLLAM -691001 ANNEXURES)

Exhibit P6 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY STATEMENT IN THE AMENDED O.A., DATED 30.08.2024

Exhibit P7 A TRUE COPY OF MA/667/2025 (FOR AMENDMENT) IN 0.A.NO.180/01063/2018, DATED 27.07.2025

Exhibit P8 A TRUE COPY OF 0.A.NO.180/01063/2018 (AMENDED) - INCORPORATING ALL THE ANNEXURES

Exhibit P9 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED L6.09.2025 IN O.A. NO.180/01063/2018 OF THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, ERNAKULAM BENCH

Exhibit P10 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 05.06.2024 IN OP(CAT) NO0.304/2016 ISSUED BY THIS HON’BLE COURT

Exhibit P11 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 29.01.2024 IN OP(CAT) NO.290 OF 2017 ISSUED BY THIS HON’BLE COURT