Searching Case Laws & Precedent on Legal Query.....!
Analysing the retrieved Case Laws
Scanned Judgements…!
Searching Case Laws & Precedent on Legal Query.....!
Analysing the retrieved Case Laws
Scanned Judgements…!
The calculation of pensionable service is often based on the date of initial appointment, with some rulings emphasizing that service rendered prior to confirmation or during probation can be counted unless rules specify otherwise ["SBI STATE BANK OF INDIA vs JAYANTHI SRINIVASAN - Madras"], ["Mamatarani Mohanty VS Managing Director (Personnel), State Bank of India, Central Office, Mumbai - Orissa"].
Analysis and Conclusion:
References:- ["GULEL RAM VS STATE BANK OF INDIA - 2005 0 Supreme(HP) 237"]- ["A.K. MALIK Vs STATE BANK OF INDIA & ORS. - Delhi"]- ["Ram Chandra Singh VS State Bank of India - Allahabad"]- ["Mamatarani Mohanty VS Managing Director (Personnel), State Bank of India, Central Office, Mumbai - Orissa"]- ["BALARAM MOHANTY vs M.D.PERSONAL,S.B.I - Orissa"]- ["Basanta Kumar Mohanty VS Chief General Manager, SBI Orissa Circle, Bhubaneswar - Orissa"]- ["Tarun Hazarika VS State Bank of India & Ors. - Gauhati"]- ["TARUN HAZARIKA VS STATE BANK OF INDIA - Gauhati"]- ["SBI STATE BANK OF INDIA vs JAYANTHI SRINIVASAN - Madras"]
Retiring from a long career at the State Bank of India (SBI) is a milestone many employees look forward to, but understanding pension eligibility can be complex. One common question arises: Under SBI service rules, what is the pensionable period of service? This blog post breaks down the standard requirements, exceptions, court interpretations, and key considerations to help SBI employees and retirees navigate their pension rights.
We'll explore the core rules, amendments, voluntary retirement schemes (VRS), and special cases like suspension or probationary service. Note that this is general information based on established rules and judgments—consult a legal expert or SBI HR for personalized advice.
Pensionable service refers to the qualifying period an employee must complete to be eligible for pension benefits under SBI's service regulations. Generally, this is the length of service counted toward pension calculation, excluding non-qualifying periods unless specified otherwise.
The standard benchmark is 20 years of pensionable service, but amendments and schemes have introduced flexibility, allowing eligibility after 10 or 15 years in certain cases. This is outlined in Rule 22 of the SBI Pension Rules, which entitles employees to pension after 20 years, provided they reach age 50. For those in service on or after 01.11.1993, a minimum of 10 years may qualify if they attain age 58 Assistant General Manager VS Radhey Shyam Pandey - 2020 0 Supreme(SC) 218.
Post-amendments, retirement age increased from 58 to 60 years, but the core 20-year requirement persists, with scheme-specific reductions Assistant General Manager VS Radhey Shyam Pandey - 2020 0 Supreme(SC) 218GULEL RAM VS STATE BANK OF INDIA - 2005 0 Supreme(HP) 237.
Under core SBI Pension Rules, employees typically need 20 years of pensionable service to qualify. This is the default for full pension entitlement, reckoned up to retirement age (58 or 60 years depending on the period) Assistant General Manager VS Radhey Shyam Pandey - 2020 0 Supreme(SC) 218.
For instance, Rule 21 of the State Bank of India Employees Rules states that suspension periods count as pensionable service only if the reinstatement authority explicitly declares so. Without such declaration, it does not qualify, potentially disqualifying employees short of the threshold Suresh Prasad Singh VS State Bank Of India - 2003 Supreme(Pat) 844. In one case, the period of suspension shall not count as pensionable service and as such the petitioner has not put in qualifying service for grant of pension Suresh Prasad Singh VS State Bank Of India - 2003 Supreme(Pat) 844.
SBI has liberalized rules through amendments and voluntary schemes:
For employees post-01.11.1993, 10 years suffices if age 58 is reached Assistant General Manager VS Radhey Shyam Pandey - 2020 0 Supreme(SC) 218. This reflects updates to Regulation 28 of the Pension Regulations.
The SBI VRS-2000 scheme allows pension after 15 years, treating it as a contractual benefit. The Supreme Court in Assistant General Manager (supra) affirmed this, urging liberal interpretation for beneficial schemes Assistant General Manager VS Radhey Shyam Pandey - 2020 0 Supreme(SC) 218S. Sundararaja VS State Bank of India, Rep. by its Chair Person, Mumbai - 2022 0 Supreme(Mad) 623.
Amendments like the proviso in Regulation 28 extend eligibility retrospectively to those retiring after 15 years under approved schemes PREM SINGH VS STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH - 2019 7 Supreme 354Pepsu Road Transport Corporation, Patiala VS Mangal Singh - 2011 4 Supreme 1. Courts emphasize: pension regulations under statutory authority are interpreted in employees' favor Pepsu Road Transport Corporation, Patiala VS Mangal Singh - 2011 4 Supreme 1.
Indian courts consistently favor employees in pension matters, especially beneficial provisions:
In suspension cases, lack of explicit inclusion bars counting: It is common ground that in case the period of suspension is not counted as pensionable service, petitioner shall not be covered under the State Bank of India Employees Pension Fund Rules Suresh Prasad Singh VS State Bank Of India - 2003 Supreme(Pat) 844. High Courts have dismissed claims where service fell short, e.g., needing 20 years at age 50 or 25 years irrespective of age BALARAM MOHANTY vs M.D.PERSONAL,S.B.IM M MICHAEL vs STATE BANK OF INDIA AND ANOTHER - 2016 Supreme(Online)(KER) 30582.
One ruling clarified: the petitioner did not meet pension eligibility criteria, specifically lacking the required 25 years of pensionable service and being under 50 years of age M M MICHAEL vs STATE BANK OF INDIA AND ANOTHER - 2016 Supreme(Online)(KER) 30582.
While rules are employee-friendly, limitations apply:
Note: Some sources reference government daily wagers (e.g., continuous service from initial appointment under resolutions like 17.10.1988 Dineshbhai Bhailalbhai Amin VS State of Gujarat - 2022 Supreme(Guj) 1150), but SBI rules are bank-specific and stricter on non-regular periods.
To maximize pension eligibility:- Verify Applicable Scheme: Check rules at retirement—standard, VRS-2000, or post-1993 amendments.- Document Service: Ensure probation/suspension declarations include pensionable periods.- Review Amendments: Post-15-year provisions may apply retrospectively Pepsu Road Transport Corporation, Patiala VS Mangal Singh - 2011 4 Supreme 1.- Seek Grievance Redressal: Approach SBI Pension Fund or courts if denied, citing liberal interpretation precedents S. Sundararaja VS State Bank of India, Rep. by its Chair Person, Mumbai - 2022 0 Supreme(Mad) 623.
In summary, while 20 years is the benchmark under SBI service rules, schemes like VRS-2000 and amendments provide pathways to pension after 15 or 10 years, subject to conditions. Service is generally till retirement, inclusive of qualifying periods. Always cross-check with official SBI documents or legal counsel, as individual cases vary.
References (Key Documents):- Assistant General Manager VS Radhey Shyam Pandey - 2020 0 Supreme(SC) 218: Core SBI Pension Rules and amendments.- S. Sundararaja VS State Bank of India, Rep. by its Chair Person, Mumbai - 2022 0 Supreme(Mad) 623: Supreme Court on VRS-2000.- Suresh Prasad Singh VS State Bank Of India - 2003 Supreme(Pat) 844: Suspension as pensionable service.- PREM SINGH VS STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH - 2019 7 Supreme 354: Retrospective 15-year provisions.
Stay informed on your rights—pension planning starts early!
#SBIPension, #PensionRules, #BankingPension
According to the petitioner, his entire period of service from 1986 ought to have been counted for the purpose of pension till his retirement on 31.5.1998, but the SBI has counted his service period for pensionable service from 18.7.1986 till 31.5.1996. ... not completed a minimum of 10 years pensionable service from 27.12.1984 when he was confirmed in the service of the SBI. ... ten years of #HL_....
Pertinently, during the service period, Petitioner had availed 243 days of Extraordinary Leave on loss of pay, which cannot be counted towards pensionable service and this has resulted in the shortfall in pensionable service of 25 years. 8. ... On conclusion of disciplinary proceedings, penalty of ‘Compulsory Retirement’ from service was imposed on the Petitioner vide order dated 27.05.2003, in terms of Rule 67(h) of State Bank of India Officers’ #HL....
The suggestion that this Rule can empower the pension trustees to condone shortfall in period of pensionable service is utterly meritless. ... The only issue open for adjudication, therefore, is whether the petitioner was entitled to condonation of the period of shortfall in pensionable service. ... For all the aforesaid reasons, this Court is unable to find any infirmity in the impugned decision of SBI declining pensionary benefits to the Petitioner for want of #HL_S....
confirmed service (excluding the period of his suspension of 3 years 8 months and 18 days which period was not treated in the Bank called <State Bank of India Officers Service Rules= of age or 25 years of pensionable service irrespective of age. ... -7 and 22 of the State Bank of India Employees’ Pension Fund Rules.
service (excluding the period of his suspension of 3 years 8 months and 18 days which period was not treated as duty as per the order of the appointing authority and confirmed by the appellate authority) as against a requirement of completing 25 years of pensionable service. ... In exercise of power conferred by Sub-section (1) of Section 43 the State Bank of India Act 1955, the Central Board of the State Bank of India framed Rules determining terms ....
In exercise of powers conferred by Section-50 of the State Bank of India Act, The State Bank of India Employees’ Pension Fund Rules (‘Rules’ for short) has been framed. In view of such fact, the aforesaid Rule has statutory force. ... Rule-21 (i) of the aforesaid Rules provides as follows:- ... “21. (i) No period of leave granted without leave salary or of absence without leave shall count as pensionable service. ... counting period....
He, therefore, represented before the SBI authorities for pension under the SBI Employees’ Pension Fund Rules (Pension Rules). Petitioner was, however, informed by SBI authorities on 13.09.2001 that he was not eligible for pension as per the Pension Rules. ... This Court held that petitioner had not completed 20 years of pensionable service and, therefore, he was not entitled to pension under Rule 22(i) of the Pension Rules. ... ......
He, therefore, represented before the SBI authorities for pension under the SBI Employees’ Pension Fund Rules (Pension Rules). Petitioner was, however, informed by SBI authorities on 13.09.2001 that he was not eligible for pension as per the Pension Rules. ... Petitioner shall be paid pro-rata pension under Rule 22(ii) of the SBI Pension Rules. The same shall be done within a period of four (4) months from the date of receipt of a c....
It is common ground that in case the period of suspension is not counted as pensionable service, petitioner shall not be covered under the State Bank of India Employees Pension Fund Rules. ... 11. Mr. ... Rule 21 of the State Bank of India Employees Rules inter alia provides that such period of suspension shall count as pensionable service as the authority which passed the order of reinstatement declares the same ....
It is stated that the petitioner is not eligible or entitled for pension under the State Bank of India Pension Fund Rules because in order to become eligible for pension, he should have completed 20 years of pensionable service with 50 years of age or 25 years of pensionable service irrespective of age ... He was removed from service on 14.6.2002. Therefore it is stated that he has not acquired 25 years of pensionable service. It is....
(i) on attaining the age of 58 years; or (ii) upon completion of 30 years of service; or (iii) completed 30 years of pensionable service, if he is a member of the Pension Fund. 15.3. As per clause (2) of Order 19, no officer of SBI who has ceased to be in the service of SBI by virtue of any of the contingencies provided for in clause (1), shall be deemed to have retired from the service of the said bank for the purpose of the Pension and Guarantee Fund Rules or the Pension Fund Rules unless such cessation of service has been sanctioned on retirement for the purpose of either of the afore....
That the period of regular service shall be pensionable. The Government itself therefore came up with a clarificatory circular dated 30.05.1989, in which, several queries which were likely to arise were clarified and answered. 7. This Government Resolution led to several doubts.
That the period of regular service shall be pensionable. The Government itself therefore came up with a clarificatory circular dated 30.05.1989, in which, several queries which were likely to arise were clarified and answered. 7. This Government Resolution led to several doubts.
That the period of regular service shall be pensionable. 7. This Government Resolution led to several doubts. The Government itself therefore came up with a clarificatory circular dated 30.05.1989, in which, several queries which were likely to arise were clarified and answered.
7. This Government Resolution led to several doubts. That the period of regular service shall be pensionable. The Government itself therefore came up with a clarificatory circular dated 30.05.1989, in which, several queries which were likely to arise were clarified and answered.
An indispensable Tool for Legal Professionals, Endorsed by Various High Court and Judicial Officers
Please visit our Training & Support
Center or Contact Us for assistance
Scan Me!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
For Daily Legal Updates, Join us on :
Back to top
