Context:

• The Union Cabinet has given its approval to grant Special Remission to Prisoners as part of Commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• State Governments will place the recommendations of the Committee before Governor for consideration and approval under Article 161 of the Constitution.

Special remission will be given to:

• Women and Transgender convicts: Of 55 years of age and above, who have completed 50 per cent of their actual sentence period.
• Male convicts: Of 60 years of age and above, who have completed 50 per cent of their actual sentence period.
• Physically challenged/disabled convicts: With 70 per cent disability and more, who have completed 50 per cent of their actual sentence period.
• Terminally ill convicts and convicted prisoners: Who have completed 2/3^rd of their actual sentence period.

Special remission will not be given to:

• Prisoners who have been convicted for the death sentence.
• Cases involving in serious and heinous crimes like rape, human trafficking, dowry death and convicted under UAPA, POTA, TADA, FICN, POCSO, etc.

Source:PIB