The Indian Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions on Monday announced that the provisions of Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021 (CCS) have been amended, allowing female government employees to nominate their child or children for the family pension in place of their husband if divorce proceedings are pending or a case has been filed against their spouse.

Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021 lists the procedures, provisions, and restrictions in effect for government employees while receiving a pension from the government. Under the aegis of the women empowerment policy, the Indian Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare amended the sub-rule (8) and sub-rule (9) of Rule 50 of CCS Rules, 2021. The provision previously stated that, in the event of the death of a government servant, their spouse will be awarded the family pension followed by children, if the spouse dies or becomes ineligible. However, the department received an increased number of inquiries about whether a female government employee could nominate her children in case of marital complications.

After consultations with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the department decided to amend Rule 50 of CCS. The amended provision states that a female government employee could nominate her children if “divorce proceedings are pending in a competent Court of Law, or the female Government servant/female pensioner has filed a case against her husband under Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act or Dowry Prohibition Act or under Indian Penal Code.” However, if the female employee dies with no children, or children are ineligible for the pension, the payment will be received by the widower.

The official statement added that “the amendment is progressive in nature and would empower women employees/pensioners significantly.” 

India’s National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released its annual report titled “Crimes in India 2022” in December 2023, which revealed a surge in crimes against women in India. The crimes increased by four percent in 2022 compared to 2021. The report noted that a majority of the crimes against women in India were crimes of cruelty by their husbands or his relatives, amounting to 31.4 percent of the total cases. Notably, 13,479 cases were registered under the Dowry Prohibition Act which prohibits the demand of dowry and dowry-related harassment.

The government of India passed legislation, popularly called the “Women’s Reservation Bill,” in September 2023 that reserves 33 percent of seats for women legislators in the lower house of the parliament, state legislatures, and India’s Delhi legislative assembly.

The Periodic Labour Force Survey Report 22-23 released in October 2023 by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation recorded an improvement in the country’s female labor participation rate (FLPR). The participation rate witnessed a growth of 4.2 percent which led to 37 percent of FLPR in 2023.