India

Delhi HC Criticizes Armed Forces’ Six-Week Postpartum Medical Fitness Policy For Female Candidates

The Delhi High Court has deemed the policy of requiring medical examination of pregnant women candidates in the armed forces six weeks after delivery as unfair. Justices Rekha Palli and Shalinder Kaur ruled that six weeks is insufficient for a female candidate to regain full medical fitness and lose weight. The court has directed the authorities to review and possibly amend the guidelines in consultation with medical experts.

Court Orders Review and Independent Examination

The court’s decision came in response to a petition from a female candidate whose medical examination was halted because she was in the late stages of pregnancy. The woman had applied for the position of Constable (Washer Man)-Female under the OBC quota in the SSB. The bench instructed the authorities to reconsider the policy and provide a more reasonable time frame for candidates to achieve fitness.

The court also directed that the case be reviewed by the Additional Director General (Medical) of the Central Armed Police Force (SSB). Additionally, the bench suggested that the SSB amend job titles that were previously male-only but are now open to women. It encouraged the SSB to address this matter proactively.

In its ruling, the court accepted the woman’s plea and ordered that she be examined by an independent medical board. If the board clears her for duty, she will be appointed but will receive her salary only from the date of her appointment. The SSB had previously stated that candidates are given six weeks postpartum to meet medical fitness requirements, including weight, before appointment decisions are made.

Also Read: India Becoming A Major Stakeholder In Global Supply Chain: PM Modi

Gopal Krishna

Recent Posts

PM Modi Meets Bhutan PM Tobgay At BIMSTEC Summit; Highlights Strong Bilateral Ties & Regional Cooperation

PM Narendra Modi met Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC…

5 hours ago

Jamia Students Back Waqf Amendment Bill; Call It A Step Toward Empowerment

The student group 'Shaher-E-Arzoo' expressed firm support for the Waqf Amendment Bill, calling it a…

7 hours ago

India’s Exports To The US Face Limited Impact From Tariff Hike: SBI Report

The 27% tariff hike by US President Donald Trump on Indian goods will have only…

8 hours ago

Waqf Freed From Mafia Control, New Era Of Development Begins For Muslims: MRM

Following the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in both Houses of Parliament, celebrations…

9 hours ago

India’s Forex Reserves Surge To $665.4 Billion; Rupee Strengthens As Trade Deficit Narrows

India’s forex reserves jumped $6.6 billion to a five-month high of $665.4 billion for the…

9 hours ago

Laxmi Singh Leads Gautam Buddha Nagar Police To Historic No 1 Rank In IGRS Across All Stations

Gautam Buddha Nagar Police, led by CP Laxmi Singh, achieved a historic feat with all…

10 hours ago