Madurai: The Tamil Nadu government has revised its rules for compassionate appointments, expanding eligibility to include married daughters and, in certain situations, sons-in-law of deceased government employees.
According to amendments made to the Tamil Nadu Government Services (Appointment on Compassionate Grounds) Rules, 2023, earlier disqualifications linked to owning a house or receiving a sizeable pension have been eased. Under the revised framework, families with an annual income below Rs 3 lakh will be treated as being in indigent circumstances.
The changes also address long-standing restrictions on married daughters. A married daughter can now seek compassionate appointment if she proves that she had been living dependent on her parents along with her husband and children.
If the married daughter is unable to take up employment, her husband (the deceased employee’s son-in-law) may apply. The application must be submitted within three years from the date of death, and age limits continue to apply: spouse or parents must be under 50, while son, daughter, brother or sister must be under 40.
The report notes that the Madras High Court has repeatedly observed that compassionate appointment is not merely a concession but a responsibility of the government, and that the revised rules aim to provide financial security to bereaved families.
