Supreme Court Strikes Down Gender Bias: Married Daughters Eligible for Compassionate Appointment

In a significant step toward gender justice, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that excluding married daughters from schemes for compassionate appointment is unconstitutional. Compassionate appointment is a social security measure intended to provide immediate financial assistance to the family of a government servant who dies in harness, by providing employment to a dependent. Historically, many state and central rules restricted this benefit to sons or unmarried daughters, assuming that a daughter ceases to be a dependent upon marriage. The Court observed that such an exclusion is rooted in deep-seated gender stereotypes and patriarchal notions. It held that the marital status of a daughter cannot be a ground for disqualification if she is otherwise eligible and dependent on the deceased employee. The judgment emphasized that marriage does not sever the bond between a daughter and her parents, nor does it automatically terminate her status as a family member capable of providing support.