In Brief
A former university professor sought inclusion in the General Provident Fund-cum-pension-cum-gratuity retiral benefits scheme after failing to exercise an option to opt into the Contributory Provident Fund within the prescribed deadline. The High Court dismissed his writ petition, reasoning that non-exercise of the option left him under the Contributory scheme. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, holding that under the university statutes, the default scheme is General Provident Fund-cum-pension-cum-gratuity unless explicitly opted otherwise. Non-exercise of an option automatically entitles employees to the default scheme. The Court noted the High Court had granted relief to similarly placed persons and therefore erred in dismissing this petition.
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