According to the Administrative Tribu- nal Act 1985, the Central Administrative Tribunal adjudicates disputes and complaints with respect to the service of persons who are

According to the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) exercises original jurisdiction over recruitment and service matters of persons appointed to public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union [c1, c3]. However, Section 2 of the Act explicitly excludes certain categories from its jurisdiction. These exclusions include members of the naval, military, or air forces (defence forces) [t3], officers or servants of the Supreme Court or any High Court [t1, t2], and members of the secretarial staff of either House of Parliament or any State Legislature [t1, t3]. Therefore, while the CAT adjudicates disputes for Union public servants, it specifically excludes members of the defence forces, making Option 1 the only correct description of its jurisdiction. This framework was established under Article 323A to provide speedy justice to aggrieved public servants [c1, t6].

Sources

1. [1] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 36: Tribunals > ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS > p. 365
2. [2] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 23: THE HIGH COURT > p. 368
3. [3] https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D2/D02adm/AT%20Act%201985%20notificaitonBD88t.pdf
4. [4] https://sclsc.gov.in/theme/front/pdf/ACTS%20FINAL/THE%20ADMINISTRATIVE%20TRIBUNALS%20ACT%201985.pdf
5. [5] https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/1832/1/AA1985__13admin.pdf