Singla case - summarised by chatgpt

[Kalyanasundaram Subramaniam]

1. What the M.C. Singla case is about

• M.C. Singla & Others vs. Union of India & Ors. (SLP (C) No. 5561/2016, Diary No. 4295/2016) is a long-pending appeal in the Supreme Court on behalf of retired bank employees challenging the denial of “updation” of pension under the Bank Employees’ Pension Regulations, 1995. It seeks parity with wage revisions granted to serving employees, on the ground that pension is a deferred wage and must be revised over time.

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📌 2. IBA’s affidavit — what was filed and its core stand

• The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court in this case. Retiree organizations and commentary on social forums indicate that IBA’s position is essentially:

  • Asserting that there is no specific provision for “updation” of pension in the current Bank Employees’ Pension Regulations, 1995, particularly in the way retirees are seeking; and

  • Suggesting that the relevant clauses in settlement/regulations do not mandatorily require automatic revision of pension with successive wage revisions for serving staff.

• A specific affidavit referenced was sworn by a senior IBA representative on 24 August 2022 before the Supreme Court, and it has been widely circulated in retiree groups; it states no express updation provision exists in the pension regulations and denies IBA has wrongly interpreted the rules.

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📌 3. Developments around 25 February 2026 listing

• According to group posts (not an official Court order but consistent with practitioner-level updates), IBA submitted its affidavit related to the pension regulation clause (35(1)) on 19 February 2026 in the Supreme Court, which was flagged for the hearing scheduled on 25 February 2026.

• This filing reportedly:

  • Cites Regulation 35(1) of the Bank Employees’ Pension Regulations, 1995, which on its face appears to provide for updating of basic and additional pension (as amended and gazetted since 2003),

  • But the IBA argues that the pension scheme’s governing settlement/regulatory framework does not mandate periodic pension updation in the same way as service pay revisions.

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📌 4. Core issue in dispute between retirees & IBA

• Retiree side: Pension updation is an inherent right under Regulation 35(1) and implied by the scheme and pension regulations; refusal to update pensions with wage revisions amounts to discrimination and denial of constitutional equality.

• IBA’s affidavit stance: There is no automatic or express pension-updation obligation under the current regulatory framework; the clause relied upon does not impose a clear duty that translates into updation tied to wage revisions.

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📌 5. What’s expected at the 25 February 2026 hearing

• The hearing likely focused on arguments on both sides following IBA’s affidavit:

  • Whether Regulation 35(1) can be interpreted to require pension updation in line with inflation or wage settlements,

  • The legal consequences of IBA’s statement that no direct statutory obligation exists,

  • And whether the Supreme Court should issue directions to the Government/IBA to implement pension updation for bank retirees.

(Official Supreme Court orders/affidavits are not yet publicly accessible online, so the above summary is based on lawyer reports and retiree association documentation shared in public forums and pensioner group discussions.)

S Kalyanasundaram 

[SHAILEN Bhavnani]

Dear Mr. Kalyanasundaram ji,
Your analysis is absolutely perfect, and we shall await Supreme Court bench of Hon'ble Justice Shri Vikram Nath & Hon'ble  Justice Shri Sanjeev Mehta' s legal interpretation of these points. But as per their oral comments in the course of the hearing held on 05-02-2026, it appeared to be in favour of Bank Pensioners. However, let's wait for the final outcome.

-- Regards,
S.G. Bhavnani
Contact No. +919540410341

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Visit our blog site http:://bankpensioner.blogspot.com
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[Gopalakrishnan Ramachandran]

It is not known how the SC will interpret the regulation 35(1) and deliver its decision. The IBA will argue vehemently on this clause to prevent pension updation.

Finally the court may direct the IBA to hold discussion with the unions to arrive at a settlement. We do not know what will be in store on the 25th. There is much hype and hope on the case and if we are left disappointed I will not be surprised. Any ways the suspense will be over soon.

G Ramachandran

 CB-SVRS 

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[Sureshbhat M]

Substitution of WILL to SHALL in 2003 may explain the doubt.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bankpensioner/1771842823.S.16994.10369.f4-234-195.1771856407.32238%40webmail.rediffmail.com.

[Satyanarayana Rao]

Please wait for the final verdict and maintain equilibrium without presuming any negative thoughts.
Let everyone be assured that there is going to be favorable verdict in favour of all pensioners.
Judges have understood that there is something that calls for justice and jurisdiction and jurisprudence in the form of equity, natural justice and fair play.
The judgement will be very big slap on the face of UFBU and IBA who played big mischief and deliberately cheated pre 2002 pensioners.
Justice shall prevail and Singla ji gets happiness in the other world.
We shall dedicate this great judicial victory in the name of Sri Late Singla ji for his fighting power and spirit.

Yahoo Mail: Search, organise, conquer

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[GARIMELLA SESHAGIRIRAO]

Be+ other wise you have to sacrifice your life at this age.

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[Ramani Konnayar]

In the affidavit, the main reasons cited for not updating pension as done to Central government pensioners

are

1) absence of any express provision in BEPR for periodical updation in consonance with wage revisions for serving employees 

2)While CG employees pension is treated as revenue expenditure and allocated from budget, our Pension is paid by Pension Funds which receive no grant from the government.

In this context, it is to be noted that the above two situations very well applies to RBI pensioners too and yet they have been given 3 updations so far and brought on par with the latest batch of retirees.

Further, as already stated by me a few days ago, the reason given by DFS while originally rejecting updation for RBI pensioners viz., "it would give rise to similar demand from PSB pensioners' indicates their acceptance of our eligibility for updation.

K N RAMANI 

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[Raghu Bhargava]

Let us all pray.We will win.

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[Vvns Varaprasadrao]

Just like Nakara case in the past,  this will be Singla case in future.

Regards.

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[Srinivasan Badri]

The case is partially  heard and further  hearing scheduled on 12 th march

 It appears that the bench is holding  a strong  positive  opinion  that pension  updating is necessary. 

Let us wait and see what happens

No conclusion  can be made unless final verdict  comes in. Even if the final hearing  is over by 12 thMarch as expected , verdict  may come before summer  vacation of the SC .

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[hindurao khade]

You are right sir. 🙏

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[JSOMA SHEKARA]

Still both pensioners and IBA/ 

Bank team have 13 days for rehearsal and place fresh arguments before court.  It is reported in a Whatsapp message that  SBM pensioners assn also assisted pensioners groups in preparing charts.

IBA also may plan new attack in consultation with UFBU leaders.

Whatever be the oral observations of the court there is no guarantee that final verdict  will be on the same lines. 

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[S.T.CHANDRASEKHAR Babu]

basically regulation1995 is  based on ccs72.  incase  ofany  doubt   orambiguityreferenceto   be    made  to   ccs72. IBA   letterto late godboleconfirms  that   regulation  is  on  the  basis  of  ccs   72.  as  sc  already   made   it  clear   pension    is   deferred   wage,   financial    aspect is   left  to  employer.    see   nakara  judgement.

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[Mathrubootham Sreenivasan]

to my knowledge  hear say Central govt pensioners  pension is being revised  with updation of pension too  whenever the pay commission is being implemented and they will fix  the pay of pensioners  at the appropriate scale and refix pension     and in addition  100 percent of pension is being sanctioned if the pensioner crosses 100 years

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[MOHAN P]

Sir,

Yes.The 6th Central Pay Commission (6th CPC) recommended an additional quantum of pension (also called additional pension) for older Central Government pensioners and family pensioners, recognizing that their needs—particularly health-related—increase with age.

This includes a provision for pensioners reaching 100 years of age, where the additional pension amounts to 100% of the basic pension.

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[Sureshbhat M]

Discussions with unions means what? Which unions?. Whether retirees unions or back stabbing ufbu? 

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[Prasad C N]

Dear Sir,

Being positive does not mean being fooled.  

Thanks, a Million. 

With regards,

Prasad C N

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