In Smt. Savitha.R v. State of Karnataka & Others, the Karnataka High Court held that a married daughter is eligible for compassionate appointment if she was dependent on and living with the deceased employee. The Court ruled that the 2021 amendment to the Karnataka Civil Services (Appointment on Compassionate Grounds) Rules, 1996, replacing “unmarried daughter” with “daughter,” operates by substitution and is deemed to have been part of the Rules from the beginning. Consequently, marital status cannot be a ground to deny compassionate appointment. The Court further clarified that the mere receipt of a government pension by the surviving parent does not automatically disqualify an applicant. Instead, the family’s financial condition must be assessed in accordance with the eligibility criteria prescribed under the Rules. Setting aside the Tribunal’s order and the State’s rejection, the High Court directed the authorities to reconsider the petitioner’s application within three months in light of the amended Rules and the principles governing compassionate appointment.