Armed Forces Tribunal

How to file an original application before the AFT

Reviewed by Adv. Jyotishwar Bhosale · Updated 10 November 2026

Who can apply

The Act applies to all persons subject to the Army Act, 1950, the Navy Act, 1957 and the Air Force Act, 1950. It also applies to retired personnel, including their dependants, heirs and successors, as far as their service matters are concerned.3

Service matters include remuneration (including allowances), pension and other retirement benefits.4

A person making an application or preferring an appeal may appear in person or take the assistance of a legal practitioner of their choice.5

Once the Tribunal's jurisdiction is exercisable, civil courts have no jurisdiction over those service matters.6

Where to file

The Benches of the Tribunal ordinarily sit at Delhi, which is the Principal Bench, and at other places the Central Government specifies by notification.7

Rule 6(1) of the Procedure Rules provides that an application is ordinarily filed with the Registrar of the Bench within whose jurisdiction the applicant is posted for the time being or was last posted or attached, or where the cause of action arose wholly or in part; with the leave of the Chairperson it may be filed at the Principal Bench. A person who has retired or been discharged, released or otherwise ceased to be in service may, at their option, file with the Registrar of the Bench within whose jurisdiction they ordinarily reside at the time of filing.8

This page does not give the address or territorial jurisdiction of any particular Bench, because an official source for those details was not available when it was prepared. Please check the current notification or the Tribunal's website.

Form, copies and language

Rule 4(1) says an application is presented in Form I by the applicant in person, or by an agent or a duly authorised legal practitioner, to the Registrar. Rule 4(2)(i) requires it to be presented in triplicate in two compilations.2

Rule 3(1) says the language of the Tribunal shall be English, but parties may file documents drawn up in Hindi, and the Bench may in its discretion permit Hindi in the proceedings. Any other document in a language other than English needs a certified English translation (Rule 3(2)).9

More than one person, other than a person serving in the regular Army, Navy or Air Force, may be permitted to join together and file a single application.2

Rule 7 of the Procedure Rules, as notified in 2008, prescribes an application fee of two hundred and fifty rupees (five hundred rupees where the Tribunal permits a single application on behalf of several persons), and allows the Tribunal to exempt an applicant who cannot pay because of indigence. The fee may have been revised since 2008, so check the current fee with the Registry before filing.10

Documents to attach

Rule 9(1) requires an attested true copy of the order against which the application is filed, along with copies of the documents relied upon and an index. If the application is filed by a legal practitioner, it must be accompanied by a duly executed vakalatnama.11

An application is to be based upon a single cause of action. It may seek one or more reliefs, provided they are consequential to one another.12

It is not necessary to present a separate application for an interim order or direction if it is prayed for in the original application.13

An applicant who seeks condonation of delay has to file a separate application supported by an affidavit.13

After filing

Under section 14(3), the Tribunal admits an application if satisfied after due inquiry that it is fit for adjudication, and may dismiss it after recording reasons.1

Respondents file their reply in triplicate within one month of service of notice of the application.14

Time limits apply. Under section 22(1)(a), read with section 21(2)(a), an application is to be made within six months from the date of the final order rejecting the person's petition or representation; the page on limitation and condonation of delay covers this in more detail.1516

The Rules text used for this page is a reproduction that its publisher notes is not verified against the original gazette, and the forms and appendices to the Rules were not available. Please check them against the official versions.

If you would like the firm to look at your papers, you can share the details using the form on this page.

Frequently asked questions

Who can file an application in the Armed Forces Tribunal?

Under section 14(2), a person aggrieved by an order pertaining to a service matter. The Act covers persons subject to the Army Act, 1950, the Navy Act, 1957 and the Air Force Act, 1950, and retired personnel with their dependants, heirs and successors as to their service matters.13

Is a pension dispute a service matter?

Yes. The Act says service matters include remuneration (including allowances), pension and other retirement benefits.4

Where do I file if I have retired?

Rule 6(2) says a retired or discharged person may, at their option, file with the Registrar of the Bench within whose jurisdiction they are ordinarily residing at the time of filing.8

Can I appear without a lawyer?

Section 25(1) says a person making an application or preferring an appeal may either appear in person or take the assistance of a legal practitioner of their choice.5

Which documents must be attached to the application?

Rule 9(1) requires an attested true copy of the impugned order, copies of the documents relied upon and an index. A vakalatnama must accompany an application filed by a legal practitioner.11

Can several people file one application together?

Rule 4(5) allows the Tribunal to permit more than one person, other than a person serving in the regular Army, Navy or Air Force, to join together and file a single application.2

Related

Sources

  1. AFT Act 2007, section 14(2) and 14(3) — Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 (Act 55 of 2007), section 14(2) and 14(3); section 14(2) and 14(3) (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source
  2. AFT (Procedure) Rules 2008, Rule 4(1), 4(2)(i) and 4(5) — Armed Forces Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2008 (S.R.O. 26(E), 17 September 2008), Rule 4(1), 4(2)(i) and 4(5); Rule 4(1), 4(2)(i) and 4(5) (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source
  3. AFT Act 2007, section 2(1) and 2(2) — Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 (Act 55 of 2007), section 2(1) and 2(2); section 2(1) and 2(2) (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source
  4. AFT Act 2007, section 3(o)(i) — Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 (Act 55 of 2007), section 3(o)(i); section 3(o)(i) (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source
  5. AFT Act 2007, section 25(1) — Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 (Act 55 of 2007), section 25(1); section 25(1) (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source
  6. AFT Act 2007, section 33 — Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 (Act 55 of 2007), section 33; section 33 (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source
  7. AFT Act 2007, section 5(4) — Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 (Act 55 of 2007), section 5(4); section 5(4) (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source
  8. AFT (Procedure) Rules 2008, Rule 6(1) including proviso, and 6(2) — Armed Forces Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2008 (S.R.O. 26(E), 17 September 2008), Rule 6(1) including proviso, and 6(2); Rule 6(1) including proviso, and 6(2) (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source
  9. AFT (Procedure) Rules 2008, Rule 3(1) and provisos, and 3(2) — Armed Forces Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2008 (S.R.O. 26(E), 17 September 2008), Rule 3(1) and provisos, and 3(2); Rule 3(1) and provisos, and 3(2) (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source
  10. AFT (Procedure) Rules 2008, Rule 7 and provisos — Armed Forces Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2008 (S.R.O. 26(E), 17 September 2008), Rule 7 and provisos; Rule 7 and provisos (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source
  11. AFT (Procedure) Rules 2008, Rule 9(1) and 9(3) proviso — Armed Forces Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2008 (S.R.O. 26(E), 17 September 2008), Rule 9(1) and 9(3) proviso; Rule 9(1) and 9(3) proviso (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source
  12. AFT (Procedure) Rules 2008, Rule 10 — Armed Forces Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2008 (S.R.O. 26(E), 17 September 2008), Rule 10; Rule 10 (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source
  13. AFT (Procedure) Rules 2008, Rule 8(1), 8(7) and 8(9) — Armed Forces Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2008 (S.R.O. 26(E), 17 September 2008), Rule 8(1), 8(7) and 8(9); Rule 8(1), 8(7) and 8(9) (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source
  14. AFT (Procedure) Rules 2008, Rule 12(1) — Armed Forces Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2008 (S.R.O. 26(E), 17 September 2008), Rule 12(1); Rule 12(1) (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source
  15. AFT Act 2007, section 22(1)(a) and 22(2) — Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 (Act 55 of 2007), section 22(1)(a) and 22(2); section 22(1)(a) and 22(2) (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source
  16. AFT Act 2007, section 21(2)(a) and 21(2)(b) — Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 (Act 55 of 2007), section 21(2)(a) and 21(2)(b); section 21(2)(a) and 21(2)(b) (text as reproduced on Indian Kanoon). Read the source

Share details of your matter (optional)

This page is general information about the law. It is not legal advice and does not create an advocate–client relationship. Laws and rules change; check the current text or consult an advocate about your facts.