The Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, has invited applications for the recruitment of Presiding Officers in Debts Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) across India. The vacancy circular, dated 1 October 2026, and subsequent corrigendum dated 10 October 2026, provide details regarding eligibility, selection procedure, tenure, required documents and the application deadline.
The recruitment covers four initially vacant posts and 16 anticipated vacancies at various Debts Recovery Tribunals, along with any unforeseen vacancies that may arise up to 30 April 2027. Eligible and willing candidates must submit their applications in the prescribed format through the proper channel, wherever applicable.
The last date to submit the application is 9 November 2026, by 5:00 PM. Candidates should carefully review the revised eligibility criteria in the corrigendum before applying.
Debts Recovery Tribunal Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance |
| Government | Government of India |
| Recruitment Name | DRT Presiding Officer Recruitment 2026 |
| Post Name | Presiding Officer |
| Total Vacancies | Initial vacancies and anticipated vacancies; exact final count not specified |
| Initial Vacancies | 4 |
| Anticipated Vacancies | 16 |
| Additional Vacancies | Unforeseen vacancies arising up to 30 April 2027 |
| Job Location | Various locations across India |
| Application Mode | Prescribed application form; submission through proper channel where applicable |
| Selection Process | Application scrutiny, shortlisting and personal interaction |
| Tenure | 5 years or until attaining 70 years of age, whichever is earlier |
| Application Deadline | 9 November 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Official Website | https://financialservices.gov.in/vacancies |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Original Vacancy Circular | 1 October 2026 |
| Corrigendum Issued | 10 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Receipt of Application | 9 November 2026 |
| Application Closing Time | 5:00 PM |
| Anticipated Vacancy Coverage | Up to 30 April 2027 |
Candidates should ensure that the complete application reaches the designated office before the deadline. Incomplete applications and applications received after the closing date will not be entertained.
DRT Presiding Officer Vacancy Details 2026
The Department of Financial Services has identified the following locations for filling existing and anticipated Presiding Officer vacancies.
| Sl. No. | Debts Recovery Tribunal |
|---|---|
| 1 | DRT-3, Mumbai |
| 2 | DRT-2, Chandigarh |
| 3 | DRT, Allahabad |
| 4 | DRT, Lucknow |
| 5 | DRT-1, Chandigarh |
| 6 | DRT, Visakhapatnam |
| 7 | DRT-1, Hyderabad |
| 8 | DRT, Cuttack |
| 9 | DRT-1, Ernakulam |
| 10 | DRT-1, Bengaluru |
| 11 | DRT-2, Ernakulam |
| 12 | DRT, Guwahati |
| 13 | DRT, Pune |
| 14 | DRT-3, Chandigarh |
| 15 | DRT, Dehradun |
| 16 | DRT-1, Kolkata |
| 17 | DRT, Patna |
| 18 | DRT, Nagpur |
| 19 | DRT, Siliguri |
| 20 | DRT-1, Chennai |
The final posting location may be any DRT where a vacancy exists. Candidates can indicate their posting preferences in the prescribed application form, but their preferred location should not be considered guaranteed.
Eligibility Criteria for DRT Presiding Officer Recruitment 2026
According to the corrigendum dated 10 October 2026, the qualifications and conditions of service are governed by the National Tribunals Commission and Qualification, Selection and Conditions of Service of Chairpersons and Members of Tribunals Rules, 2026.
Under Rule 25(a), a candidate must satisfy either of the following eligibility conditions:
- Must be or have been a District Judge.
- Must be or have been a member of the Indian Legal Service in Grade I or above.
Candidates should provide the relevant documentary evidence supporting their eligibility.
Eligibility of Serving Officers
Under Rule 28 of the 2026 Rules, a person appointed as a Chairperson or Member who is a serving Supreme Court or High Court judge, or a serving member of a Central Government or State Government service or their undertaking, must resign or obtain voluntary retirement from their parent service before joining the Tribunal, as applicable under the rules.
Candidates who have previously served as a Member or Chairperson of a Tribunal may also be eligible for consideration for reappointment in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2026.
Important: The corrigendum dated 10 October 2026 revises the governing rules and eligibility provisions stated in the original circular. Candidates should rely on the corrigendum when determining their eligibility.
Age Limit and Tenure
The vacancy circular provides that a Presiding Officer of a Debts Recovery Tribunal will hold office for a term of five years or until attaining 70 years of age, whichever is earlier, under Section 17(1)(a) of the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2026.
The supplied notification does not specify a separate minimum age limit or a general age-relaxation table. Candidates should consult the applicable official rules for further details.
Salary and Pay Scale
The vacancy circular does not specify a standalone salary figure or pay scale in the supplied text. The remuneration and other service conditions will be governed by the applicable rules and appointment terms.
Candidates should refer to the official notification and relevant service rules for the current pay, allowances and other benefits applicable to the post of Presiding Officer.
Selection Process
The selection of Presiding Officers will be carried out through a Search-cum-Selection Committee constituted under the applicable tribunal legislation.
The selection procedure includes:
- Application scrutiny: Applications will be examined for eligibility, qualifications and experience.
- Shortlisting: Suitable candidates will be shortlisted based on their qualifications and relevant professional experience.
- Personal interaction: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for personal interaction.
- Final selection: The Committee will evaluate candidates based on their qualifications, experience and performance during personal interaction.
No TA/DA will be paid to candidates called for an interview or personal interaction. Candidates must make their own travel and accommodation arrangements.
How to Apply for DRT Presiding Officer Recruitment 2026
Eligible and willing candidates should complete the prescribed application form and submit the original application with the required supporting documents.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official Department of Financial Services website at https://financialservices.gov.in/vacancies.
- Locate the DRT Presiding Officer Vacancy Circular and the corrigendum dated 10 October 2026.
- Download the prescribed application form and annexures.
- Fill in all required personal, educational, professional and service details.
- Attach the required certificates, service records and supporting documents.
- Obtain forwarding and clearance certificates from the competent authority wherever applicable.
- Submit the complete original application through the proper channel, wherever applicable.
- Ensure that the application reaches the designated address by 5:00 PM on 9 November 2026.
Application Submission Address
To: Under Secretary (DRT)
Department of Financial Services
Ministry of Finance, Government of India
3rd Floor, Jeevan Deep Building
Sansad Marg, New Delhi – 110001
Applications must be received by the specified deadline. The department will not be responsible for postal delays or loss of applications.
Documents Required
Candidates should prepare the following documents, as applicable:
- Completed bio-data in the prescribed format under Annexure I.
- Employer, Head of Office or forwarding authority certificate under Annexure II.
- Attested copies of the latest five years of CR/APAR records, covering 2021–22 to 2025–26.
- Cadre clearance for serving candidates.
- Integrity certificate and vigilance/disciplinary clearance under Annexure III, where applicable.
- Statement of major or minor penalties imposed during the preceding ten years, if any.
- Documentary evidence of service as a District Judge or membership of the Indian Legal Service in Grade I or above, as applicable.
- Supporting documents for previous service as a Tribunal Member or Chairperson, where relevant.
- Educational qualification certificates and professional experience records.
- Other documents required by the prescribed application form.
Where CR/APAR records for a period exceeding three months are unavailable, the circular provides for relevant earlier records for the matching period along with a No Report Certificate, where applicable.
Details to Be Filled in the Application Form
The prescribed proforma requests information including:
- Name, date of birth and category.
- Present designation or profession and contact details.
- Cadre or service details, wherever applicable.
- Educational qualifications and academic distinctions.
- Employment history, pay level and nature of work.
- Eligibility as a District Judge or Indian Legal Service officer.
- Previous service as a Tribunal Member or Chairperson.
- Adjudicatory and administrative experience, limited to 200 words.
- Number of cases disposed of during the preceding two years.
- Awards, honours and publications.
- Vigilance or disciplinary matters, if any.
- Posting preferences.
- Declaration and candidate’s signature.
Candidates must ensure that the information furnished in the application is complete and accurate.
Important Instructions
- Read both the original vacancy circular and the corrigendum carefully.
- The revised eligibility criteria in the corrigendum should be followed.
- Applications must be submitted in the prescribed format.
- Serving candidates should obtain the required clearances and forwarding documents.
- Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
- The date of receipt of the application is the crucial date for determining eligibility.
- Candidates called for personal interaction must arrange their own travel and accommodation.
- Candidates should verify the latest official instructions before dispatching their applications.
Important Links
| Link | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Form | Prescribed Application Form (Annexure-I, II, III) |
| Official Notification PDF | Vacancy Circular and Corrigendum PDF |
| Official Website | Department of Financial Services Website |
Before applying, candidates should verify the revised eligibility requirements, document checklist, application format and deadline in the official documents.
Conclusion
The DRT Presiding Officer Recruitment 2026 offers an opportunity for eligible District Judges and qualifying Indian Legal Service officers to serve in Debts Recovery Tribunals across India. The selection process emphasizes professional qualifications, relevant experience and personal interaction. Eligible candidates should complete the prescribed application and ensure its receipt by 9 November 2026, 5:00 PM, in accordance with the corrigendum dated 10 October 2026.
DRT Presiding Officer Recruitment 2026 FAQs
What is the last date to apply for DRT Presiding Officer Recruitment 2026?
The last date for receipt of applications is 9 November 2026 by 5:00 PM.
How many vacancies are available?
The notification identifies four initially vacant posts and 16 anticipated vacancies, with additional unforeseen vacancies possible up to 30 April 2027. The final number of appointments is not specified.
Who is eligible for the Presiding Officer post?
Under the corrigendum, a candidate must be or have been a District Judge, or be or have been a member of the Indian Legal Service in Grade I or above, subject to the applicable rules.
What is the tenure of a DRT Presiding Officer?
The tenure is five years or until attaining 70 years of age, whichever is earlier, under Section 17(1)(a) of the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2026.
What is the selection process?
The selection process consists of application scrutiny, shortlisting, personal interaction and an overall evaluation by the Search-cum-Selection Committee.
How can candidates apply?
Candidates must download the prescribed application form from https://financialservices.gov.in/vacancies and submit the completed original application with the required documents through the proper channel wherever applicable.
Where should the application be sent?
Applications should be sent to the Under Secretary (DRT), Department of Financial Services, 3rd Floor, Jeevan Deep Building, Sansad Marg, New Delhi – 110001.
Is an application fee required?
The supplied vacancy circular does not specify an application fee.
Will candidates receive TA/DA for personal interaction?
No. TA/DA is not admissible to candidates called for interview or personal interaction.
Where can candidates download the official notification?
The official vacancy circular, corrigendum and application form are available at https://financialservices.gov.in/vacancies.