HMT Ravindra Singh & Ors vs UOI & Others on 9 October 2026

O R D E R

09.10.2026

1. Counsel for the applicant has filed MA No 342/2026 praying for early hearing of this matter, which is allowed taking into consideration the reasons advanced therein.

OA No 331/2025

2. Under Section 14 of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act 2007, the applicant alongwith his fellow litigants have filed this OA praying for passing appropriate order and direction in the nature thereof to quash and set aside the Impugned letter dated 03/7/2025 and that the Respondents be directed to assign seniority to the applicant HMTs higher than the Havildars with all its natural consequences. As an interim measure, it has also been prayed that directions be issued to provisionally assign them seniority than the Havildars during pendency of the OA.

3. We have heard the counsels for the parties and perused the material on record.

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4. Perusal of record and the reply statement filed by the Respondents in this regard, reveal that as per policy of Army HQ issued vide letter dated 03/7/2025 the seniority of all ranks and appointments is as per the promotion to the substantive rank of Havildar and that appointments have been assigned for administrative and technical areas. HMT is a technical appointment for technical work in different Corps of Indian Army and for other areas of work there are administrative appointments of Havildars. However, they are all Havildars only. Though the applicants herein were assigned technical appointments as HMT, their seniority was correctly fixed with reference to their promotion to the substantive rank of Havildar. Moreover, they are also granted higher rate of ‘X’ Group Pay @Rs 6200/- being Diploma holders which is recognized by AICTE.

5. In view of the foregoing and since applicants herein have not been discriminated against, we deem it appropriate that the counsel for the applicants if so desired, may submit a comprehensive and exhaustive Representation encompassing all the aspects involved threadbare before the competent authority for redressal of their grievances within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this Order. We expect that the competent authority shall consider the entire gamut of issues involved and pass a Speaking Order within a period of six months from the date of receipt of such a detailed Representation from the counsel for the applicant.

6. The OA is disposed off accordingly. No order on costs.

7. Pending application, if any, also stands disposed off.

8. File be consigned to record.

(SANJIV MITTAL)

(GOVERDHAN BARDHAR) MEMBER (A)

MEMBER (J)

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