📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Prime Minister's Office
Jobs & Career
After 37 Years, Sumitra Wins Case Against PSU Over Rs 34-a-Day Gender Discrimination
✍️ The Indian Express
🗓 27 Sep 2026, 01:33 PM
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A woman named Sumitra secured a legal victory against a public sector undertaking after being denied a Rs 34‑a‑day job on the basis of her gender, ending a 37‑year battle.
Sumitra, a resident of India, filed a case against a public sector undertaking (PSU) after the organization refused to appoint her to a position that paid Rs 34 per day, citing her gender as the reason. The dispute lingered in courts for nearly four decades, during which Sumitra persisted in seeking redress for the alleged discrimination.
The Supreme Court, acting on the petition, ruled in Sumitra's favour, directing the PSU to compensate her for the lost wages and to adhere to equal‑opportunity hiring practices. The judgment underscores the judiciary's stance on gender bias in employment, especially within government‑linked entities.
Legal experts note that the case sets a precedent for other workers facing similar discrimination, reinforcing the applicability of constitutional guarantees of equality. The PSU has indicated it will comply with the court's order and review its recruitment policies to prevent future violations.
While details of the compensation amount were not disclosed, the ruling is being hailed as a landmark victory for women's rights in the workplace, highlighting the long‑term impact of persistent legal challenges.
The case also draws attention to the broader issue of low‑pay, gender‑biased job allocations in the public sector, prompting calls for systemic reforms across similar institutions.
The Supreme Court, acting on the petition, ruled in Sumitra's favour, directing the PSU to compensate her for the lost wages and to adhere to equal‑opportunity hiring practices. The judgment underscores the judiciary's stance on gender bias in employment, especially within government‑linked entities.
Legal experts note that the case sets a precedent for other workers facing similar discrimination, reinforcing the applicability of constitutional guarantees of equality. The PSU has indicated it will comply with the court's order and review its recruitment policies to prevent future violations.
While details of the compensation amount were not disclosed, the ruling is being hailed as a landmark victory for women's rights in the workplace, highlighting the long‑term impact of persistent legal challenges.
The case also draws attention to the broader issue of low‑pay, gender‑biased job allocations in the public sector, prompting calls for systemic reforms across similar institutions.