Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh High Court has dismissed the Union government’s petition challenging a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) order directing an IPS cadre review in Madhya Pradesh within 120 days.
A bench of Justices Vivek Rusia and Pradeep Mittal of the High Court’s Jabalpur bench upheld the CAT’s direction on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
The case relates to a plea filed by the Madhya Pradesh Police Association before the CAT, which argued that the mandatory review of the Indian Police Service cadre had been repeatedly delayed despite rules requiring it to take place every five years.
Police Association Raises Concern Over Two-Decade Delay
The Madhya Pradesh Police Association approached the CAT citing provisions of the Indian Police Service (Cadre) Rules, 1954.
According to the association, an IPS cadre review is mandatory every five years, but the process in Madhya Pradesh had faced continuous delays for nearly two decades.
The association argued that the prolonged delay was putting Madhya Pradesh cadre officers at a disadvantage compared with officers in other states. It also raised concerns over the impact of the delay on eligible State Police Service officers seeking promotion and induction into the IPS.
The matter was therefore not limited to administrative delay, but also involved the career progression of officers who could potentially become eligible for induction into the IPS.
CAT Directs Review Within 120 Days
In its January 9 order, the Central Administrative Tribunal took a strong view of the prolonged delay.
The tribunal observed that the failure to conduct the cadre review on time affected the constitutional rights relating to equality and promotion under Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution.
The CAT stated that conducting a cadre review every five years was a clear obligation of the governments. It also expressed concern that the delay was effectively affecting the future of officers.
Based on these observations, the tribunal directed the authorities to complete the IPS cadre review within 120 days.
Officers Faced Risk of Losing IPS Induction Opportunity
The Madhya Pradesh Police Association highlighted another important consequence of the delay.
It submitted that several eligible State Police Service officers could be deprived of their opportunity for promotion and induction into the IPS because of the prolonged wait for the cadre review.
The association also pointed out that continued delay could cause some officers to cross the age limit of 56 years, after which they would permanently lose the opportunity for induction into the IPS.
This made the timing of the cadre review particularly significant for officers approaching the prescribed age limit.
Union Government Challenges CAT Order
The Union government subsequently challenged the CAT’s decision before the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
In its petition, the Centre argued that the cadre review process had been conducted from time to time and in accordance with the applicable rules. It maintained that there had been no delay in the process.
The Union government therefore sought to challenge the CAT’s direction requiring completion of the IPS cadre review within 120 days.
MP High Court Upholds CAT Direction
The Madhya Pradesh High Court, however, dismissed the Union government’s petition on Thursday.
The Jabalpur bench of Justices Vivek Rusia and Pradeep Mittal upheld the CAT order directing the IPS cadre review to be completed within the stipulated 120-day period.
The decision keeps the CAT’s time-bound direction in place and reinforces the importance of following the five-year review requirement under the IPS cadre rules.
Why the IPS Cadre Review Matters
Cadre reviews determine the strength and structure of the IPS cadre in a state. Regular reviews are therefore important for maintaining an appropriate cadre structure and creating opportunities for eligible officers to enter the IPS through the prescribed process.
In Madhya Pradesh, the dispute has also brought attention to the career implications of prolonged delays. The Police Association’s argument was that eligible officers could lose their opportunity for induction if they crossed the prescribed age limit while waiting for the review.
The High Court’s decision thus gives renewed significance to the CAT’s direction for a time-bound review.
The case also highlights the importance of adhering to established administrative timelines, particularly when delays can affect the promotional and career prospects of government officers.
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