DEIB India Updates - August '25 Edition

Discover key legal insights and societal inclusion steps in DEI India Updates August 2025 Edition.

1. Disabled Persons Entitled to Posting at Same Place: Calcutta HC

   
   

   In Anirban Pal v. Punjab National Bank & Ors. the Calcutta High Court held that a policy mandating that disabled persons remain posted at the same place even after promotion is binding when framed under statutory or international obligations. A bank employee with 70% disability had a preferential right to be posted at Kolkata and could not be denied this benefit. The Court emphasized that policies under the Disabilities Act and UNCRPD carry binding force and must be respected by employers.

   
   

2. Justice Katju Apologizes for Misogynistic Remark on Women Lawyers

   Former Supreme Court judge Justice Markandey Katju issued a public apology after making a misogynistic remark on Facebook suggesting that women lawyers who "winked" at him received favourable orders. Following strong condemnation from the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association (SCWLA), he clarified that the comment was intended as a joke but acknowledged that it hurt women lawyers. The SCWLA called the remark a serious affront to the dignity and professional standing of women in the legal fraternity, stressing that such comments undermine their credibility and years of dedication.

   
   

3. SC Seeks Union’s Response on Insurance & Rehabilitation for Disabled Cadets

   In In Re: Cadets Disabled in Military Training Struggle (SMW(C) No. 6/2025) the Supreme Court issued notice to the Union Ministries of Defence, Finance and Social Justice, along with Defence Chiefs, on the plight of cadets disabled during training. The Bench led by Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan asked whether insurance coverage, higher monthly medical expenditure, and rehabilitation measures could be provided. The Court stressed that such cadets’ rights under the Disabilities Act, 2016 must be protected and suggested exploring desk jobs or lump sum compensation to ensure social justice.

   
   

4. SC Stays Uttarakhand Bar on Blind Candidates from General Category

   In Sravya Sindhuri v. Uttarakhand Public Service Commission & Ors. (W.P.(C) No. 570/2025) the Supreme Court stayed a 2018 Uttarakhand Government notification that prevented blind and locomotor-disabled candidates from applying under the general category for judicial services. Calling the rule “absurd,” the Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan directed that such candidates be allowed to sit for the upcoming exam with scribes and extra time. The Court observed that the notification violated the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and fundamental rights to equality and opportunity.

   
   

5. SC Quashes Army Policy Reserving More JAG Posts for Men

   In Arshnoor Kaur v. Union of India (W.P.(C) No. 772/2023) the Supreme Court struck down the Indian Army’s policy that reserved a higher number of Judge Advocate General (JAG) posts for men than women. A Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan held that fixing a ceiling on women’s entry was “indirect discrimination,” violating Articles 15 and 16. The Court directed that all candidates be recruited from a common merit list, irrespective of gender, and ordered the induction of petitioner Arshnoor Kaur, who had been denied despite higher marks than male counterparts.