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Kerala HC Upholds Section 22 ID Act: Bank Officers in PUS Cannot Strike, Citing 2023 Notification & Rs 231.90 Lakh Cr Deposits

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCBankingSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
02 Mar 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Section 22 ID ActArticle 19(1)(c)June 5, 2023Rs 231.90 lakh crore depositsRs 181.34 lakh crore bank credit2.31% Gross NPAs
Bodies:Kerala High CourtUnion Ministry of Labour and Employment
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Kerala HC set aside a single judge order and upheld conciliation proceedings against a proposed strike by Federal Bank Officers’ Association (FBOA).

2.Court clarified that Section 22 of ID Act uses 'any person employed' in a PUS, not just 'workmen', thus including bank officers under strike restrictions.

3.The judgment was based on a 2023 notification declaring banking a PUS and emphasized banking's critical role with deposits rising to Rs 231.90 lakh crore (2015-2025).

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Kerala High Court ruled that bank officers are bound by strike restrictions under the Industrial Disputes Act once banking is declared a Public Utility Service (PUS). This clarifies that the broader term 'any person employed' in Section 22 includes non-workmen, preventing paralysis of essential banking services which handles over Rs 231 lakh crore in deposits.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Section InvokedSection 22, Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
Banking Declared PUSJune 5, 2023 notification
Domestic Deposits (2025)Rs 231.90 lakh crore
Bank Credit (2025)Rs 181.34 lakh crore
Gross NPAs (2025)2.31%
Strike Notice Period6 weeks notice, cannot strike within 14 days of notice

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Section Invoked: Section 22, Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
  • ›Banking Declared PUS: June 5, 2023 notification
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Section 22 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 restricts strikes in Public Utility Services.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Union Ministry of Labour and Employment issued the PUS notification for banking on June 5, 2023.
  • ›Target this Data: Domestic bank deposits rose from Rs 88.35 lakh crore (2015) to Rs 231.90 lakh crore (2025).

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry issued the notification declaring the banking industry as a Public Utility Service in 2023?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Kerala High Court judgment on bank strikes:

1. The court held that the fundamental right under Article 19(1)(c) includes an absolute right to strike.

2. The court distinguished between Section 22 and Section 23 of the Industrial Disputes Act, noting Section 22 uses the phrase 'any person employed'.

3. The judgment was based on data showing bank deposits rose to Rs 231.90 lakh crore in 2025 from Rs 88.35 lakh crore in 2015.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the Kerala High Court judgment, what was the Gross Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) percentage for scheduled commercial banks in 2025?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary legal implication of the Kerala High Court's interpretation of Section 22 of the Industrial Disputes Act?

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