Supreme Court Declares AFGIS 'State'

The India===Supreme Court of India has ruled that the Air Force Group Insurance Society (AFGIS) is a 'State' under Article 12 of the Constitution. This decision overturns a previous ruling by the India===Delhi High Court and means AFGIS, despite being a purportedly private society, performs a public duty by providing insurance and welfare to armed forces personnel and their families. The Supreme Court cited deep and pervasive governmental control, compulsory membership for India===Indian Air Force personnel, and the fact that AFGIS's administration is entirely in the hands of government servants. This classification subjects AFGIS's actions, including its pay structures, to judicial review under constitutional courts. The ruling came in response to an appeal by AFGIS employees seeking pay parity with Central government pay commissions, a dispute that has been ongoing since 2017. The India===Delhi High Court has been requested to decide the dispute expeditiously.