SC: Married Daughters Eligible for Compassionate Appointment

On 2nd June 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that married daughters cannot be excluded from compassionate appointments, holding that such exclusion is arbitrary, discriminatory, and unconstitutional.

Key Points

Supreme Court Verdict: The Bench held that excluding married daughters from the definition of "family" for compassionate appointments is constitutionally untenable.
What is Compassionate Appointment?
- A scheme under which a dependent family member is provided employment after the death of a government employee while in service or on medical invalidation.
- Intended to provide immediate financial relief to the bereaved family.
Court's Observation: The Court held that marital status cannot be a valid ground for denying benefits if the daughter remains dependent or has a legitimate claim as a family member.
Constitutional Basis: The judgment reinforces the principles of equality and non-discrimination under Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution.
Significance: The ruling promotes gender justice and ensures equal treatment of daughters, irrespective of their marital status, in welfare and employment-related schemes.