Authority: High Court of Judicature at Madras

Order Date: 01 July 2026

Case Overview

  • Appeals W.A. Nos.1529 and 1540 of 2026 were filed against an interim order dated 02.06.2026 that stayed transfers of female officers under Union Bank of India's Transfer Policy (Clauses 5.4 and 5.11(iv)).
  • Appellants: Union Bank of India (represented by its Managing Director & CEO and Chief General Manager – HR) and the Government of India (Secretary, Department of Financial Services).
  • Respondents: All India Union Bank Officer Staff Association (General Secretary D.S. Ganesan), Ms. Deepika G (MMGS‑Scale I Officer, Union Bank of India), and the Government of India (as above).
  • The staff association contended that the Transfer Policy violated Central Government circulars dated 08.08.2014 and 26.11.2024, which direct public‑sector banks to accommodate female employees as far as possible near spouses/parents, and breached Articles 15(3) and 21 of the Constitution.
  • The bank argued that transfer is a matter of service governed by Regulation 47 of the Officers' Service Regulations, 1979, and that the writ petition was not maintainable by the association.
  • The Court noted earlier orders: a single‑judge order (28.04.2025) directing the bank to frame a policy in conformity with the Government guidelines, and a Division Bench order (19.06.2025) that the guidelines must be implemented in letter and spirit.
  • Data presented: 1,519 female officers were due for long‑tenure transfers; 1,204 had submitted preferences (1,108 received first‑choice zones, 96 received second/third choice); 315 had not submitted preferences, of whom 284 were allotted close cohort zones.
  • The Court observed that the interim stay on transfers of the 315 officers effectively crippled the entire transfer exercise, preventing even those who had exercised their preferences from joining their postings.

Final Outcome

  • The interim order staying transfers of female officers who had not submitted any request/preference (W.A. No.1529) is set aside.
  • The appeal seeking to extend the stay to the 1,204 officers who had submitted preferences (W.A. No.1540) is dismissed.
  • Union Bank of India is directed to allow the affected officers to join their transferred places of posting within 15 days from the date of this order.
  • The Court requests the learned Single Judge to prioritize the pending writ petition for a final hearing on an expedited basis.
  • No order as to costs; interim applications stand closed.

Topics: Transfer Policy; Female Officer Transfers; Banking Regulations