Supreme Court Closes IPS Officer Urvashi Sengar's Plea Over Post-Childbirth Training, Says CAT To Decide On Merits
The Supreme Court disposed of IPS officer Urvashi Sengar's plea challenging the MHA's post-childbirth training policy and directed the CAT to decide the matter on its own merits
The Supreme Court on Friday disposed of IPS officer Urvashi Sengar's petition challenging the Ministry of Home Affairs' 1993 Office Memorandum that bars women IPS probationers from resuming training for one year after childbirth, observing that the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) should decide the issue on its own merits without being influenced by the Delhi High Court's observations.
The Bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Shree Chandrashekhar was informed by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Kaushik, appearing for the Union government, that the Phase-II training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad, had commenced on June 22 and that the first three weeks of the nine-week programme had already concluded.
The ASG submitted that the programme required 95% attendance, and that the initial weeks included physical training, field visits and cadre-specific modules that had already been completed. According to him, allowing Sengar to join midway would result in incomplete training and attendance shortfall.
Questioning the feasibility of permitting Sengar to join the remaining training, the Bench observed that one-third of the programme had already concluded.
"If it is a nine-week schedule and three weeks are already over, then it is a problem," the Court remarked, adding that permitting the petitioner to undergo only the remaining portion of the course would not ensure proper training and would ultimately be to her detriment.
When Sengar's counsel suggested that she be allowed to attend the remaining part of the programme, the Bench responded that such an arrangement would be "absurd."
The Court, however, indicated that Sengar's seniority should not be affected by the delay.
During the hearing, the ASG informed the Court that the original challenge remained pending before the CAT. Sengar's counsel also pointed out that the police academy had initially permitted her to join the training before withdrawing the permission on May 18.
Taking note of the submissions, the Court disposed of the petition with a direction that the CAT shall decide Sengar's Original Application independently and without being prejudiced by any observations made by the Delhi High Court.
The Court also recorded the ASG's statement that the Union government would withdraw its writ petition pending before the Delhi High Court challenging the CAT's interim order.
On the last hearing, the Court had questioned the constitutional validity of a 1993 MHA policy that bars pregnant IPS probationers from undergoing training, observing that a welfare provision meant to protect women cannot be invoked to deny opportunities to officers who are medically fit.
Challenge to 1993 Policy
Sengar has challenged the constitutional validity of the 1993 Office Memorandum, arguing that despite being medically fit after childbirth, she was denied permission to join the Phase-II training solely because of a blanket policy that mandates a one-year break after delivery. Her challenge raises broader questions regarding maternity rights, reasonable accommodation and gender equality in the training of women IPS officers.
Background of the Case
Urvashi Sengar, a 2023-batch direct recruit IPS officer allotted to the Madhya Pradesh cadre, joined the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy for Phase I training in November 2023.
During Phase II training in April 2025, which primarily involved classroom sessions, academic modules and institutional attachments, she became pregnant and informed the academy.
After delivering her child on September 20, 2025, Sengar sought permission to join the next Phase II training beginning on June 20, 2026, nearly nine months after childbirth, asserting that she was medically fit.
The academy rejected her request citing the 1993 Office Memorandum and informed her that she could join only with the next batch.
Sengar then approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which, by an interim order dated May 27, permitted her to undergo training subject to medical fitness and completion of necessary formalities.
Although the academy initially issued a communication on June 16 allowing her to join, it withdrew the permission within two days. The Centre subsequently challenged the CAT's order before the Delhi High Court, which stayed the tribunal's directions on June 22, observing that the policy sought to safeguard the welfare of both the probationer and her infant.
Before the Supreme Court, Sengar has contended that the 1993 policy fails to distinguish between physically demanding and academic phases of IPS training and ignores modern medical understanding, reasonable accommodation and constitutional principles of substantive gender equality.
The petition raises a broader constitutional issue: Can a woman IPS probationer be denied training solely because she has given birth, without any individual assessment of her medical fitness and ability to participate?
Case Title: Urvashi Sengar v. Union of India & Ors.
Bench: Justices Manoj Misra and Shree Chandrashekhar
Hearing Date: July 10, 2026