The Uttarakhand High Court has lifted a 31-year-old ban on the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) from hiring contractual workers, a restriction imposed in 1993. The decision enables ONGC’s Dehradun establishment to employ personnel on a contractual basis to meet operational requirements. The long-standing prohibition had limited ONGC’s ability to fill vacancies in its technical and administrative departments, often leading to project delays and higher dependence on outsourcing. With the court’s directive, the public sector enterprise can now proceed with temporary recruitments while ensuring compliance with labour laws and fair employment norms. Legal experts described the ruling as a significant step toward restoring flexibility in ONGC’s workforce management. The order is expected to positively impact employment opportunities in Uttarakhand and strengthen ONGC’s regional operations.