Hyderabad (30.12.2025): The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Hyderabad has set aside the appointment of Dr Jaiteerth R Joshi as Director General (DG) of BrahMos Aerospace, which is an Indo-Russian joint venture behind BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
The CAT directed authorities to reconsider the selection for the strategic post, upholding the challenge brought by Dr Sivasubramaniam Nambi Naidu, a "Distinguished Scientist" at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
"Quashing & setting aside" the 2024 order, the CAT directed to restart the process for the appointment of DG Brahmos "within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of the order".
Dr Naidu, who was promoted to the highest scientific grade of Distinguished Scientist (Pay Level-16) on October 7, 2024, argued that he was overlooked despite superior seniority, merit, and experience. He claimed to be the senior-most eligible candidate and the top-ranked in the selection panel, while Dr Joshi, then an Outstanding Scientist (Pay Level-15), was appointed with effect from December 1, 2024.
