Past service in central paramilitary forces counts towards pension and benefits upon lateral entry into civil services.

The applicant, currently serving as a Fire Operator in the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), previously served in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from 27.02.2003 to 19.02.2009

He had applied for the DFS post through proper channels with a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the CRPF and resigned from his previous post to join the DFS on 19.08.2009 after completing pre-service training

The applicant filed this Original Application seeking to quash an order dated 11.03.2025 and to compel the respondents to count his past CRPF service for pensionary and leave benefits, specifically requesting to be covered under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, rather than the National Pension System (NPS)

During the proceedings, the respondents issued a fresh order dated 12.03.2026, approving the counting of his past service

1. Whether the applicant is entitled to have his past service in the CRPF (2003–2009) counted for the purposes of pension and leave benefits under the CCS (Pension) Rules

2. Whether the applicant is entitled to consequential benefits, including the transfer of NPS contributions to a GPF account, following the recognition of his past service

The Tribunal considered the provisions of Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, regarding the adjudication of grievances of government employees

It applied the principle of "counting of past service" for employees who move from one government department to another through the "Proper Channel" and with a "Technical Resignation," as governed by the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules

The Tribunal noted that the primary grievance regarding the recognition of past service was effectively resolved by the respondents' own administrative action during the pendency of the case. The respondents’ Legal and Administrative Branches reviewed the case and, in an order dated 12.03.2026, formally approved the counting of the applicant's service rendered in the CRPF from 27.02.2003 to 19.02.2009

Given this admission, the Tribunal found that the "substantial relief" sought by the applicant had already been accorded. The remaining task for the Tribunal was merely to ensure that the logical results of this recognition—such as financial adjustments and leave credits—were executed by the authorities in a time-bound manner

The Tribunal directed the competent authority to pass specific orders regarding all admissible consequential benefits in accordance with the law within six weeks of receiving the order. Actual release of such benefits is to be completed within four weeks thereafter. No order was made as to costs