Bombay HC quashes 50-year age cap for anganwadi workers' promotion to supervisor
The court set aside the state's 3 July 2026 resolution and directed a fresh advertisement on the basis of a 55-year age limit.
Images are not validated/verified
Anganwadi workers in Maharashtra, including those in Nashik district, have received relief from the Bombay High Court. The court has quashed the state government's Government Resolution (GR) of 3 July 2026, which fixed a maximum age of 50 years for promotion to the post of supervisor.
The High Court has directed the authority concerned to issue a fresh advertisement on the basis of a 55-year age limit and invite applications from eligible candidates. Eligible anganwadi workers will now be able to apply for promotion up to the age of 55.
The decision is expected to benefit workers who have served for years but were being shut out of the promotion process because of the change in the age limit.
Under a GR of 17 November 2001 and an amendment of 7 December 2001, eligible anganwadi workers could be considered for promotion up to the age of 55. The state government subsequently lowered this maximum age to 50 through the GR of 3 July 2026.
The workers challenged the change in court. The High Court held that, on the basis of the arrangement in place for years, the workers had a legitimate expectation that they would be considered for promotion up to the age of 55. The workers affected by the lower age limit have got relief from the ruling.
However, according to the court's directions, relaxation in the age limit does not mean that all workers will automatically be promoted. They will have to meet the prescribed length of service, educational qualifications and other required conditions for the post of supervisor.
According to the available court details, a minimum of 10 years' experience as an anganwadi worker is required. Workers who meet these conditions will be able to apply under the new advertisement.
The authority concerned must now issue the fresh advertisement and begin the application process. This will give eligible workers aged between 50 and 55 a chance to compete for promotion as well. The workers are now waiting for the new advertisement and the next steps in the process.
