The Ministry of Defence recently issued a formal Government Sanction Letter enabling the grant of Permanent Commission (PC) to Women Officers in the Indian Army. This move has fostered a new era for women in military service, as they can now serve in all ten branches where women are inducted for Short Service Commission (SSC).
Details of the New Order
The order issued by the Ministry of Defence provides the option of PC to SSC Women Officers in the remaining eight streams of the Indian Army that were inaccessible before. These include Signals, Engineers, Army Aviation, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), Army Service Corps (ASC), Army Ordnance Corps (AOC), Intelligence Corps, and Army Air Defence (AAD). Previously, women officers could only be granted a PC in the Judge and Advocate General (JAG) and Army Educational Corps (AEC).
Preparations for Implementation
The Army Headquarters commenced several preparatory measures anticipating this change. Among these was the arrangement to conduct the Permanent Commission Selection Board (PCSB) for eligible women officers. The selection board will be scheduled as soon as all eligible SSC Women Officers exercise their option and complete the required documentation.
The Issue with Short Service Commissions
Before this order, women were commissioned into the Army under the SSC scheme for a tenure of 10 years, which could be extended up to 14 years. However, they faced restrictions in their roles, limiting them to specific fields like Corps of Signals, Intelligence Corps, etc. Furthermore, they were excluded from combat arms such as infantry and armoured corps. Unlike their male counterparts, these women officers had no provision to opt for permanent commission after completing 10 years of service.
The Legal Journey
The effort to achieve this momentous change started in 2003 when women officers filed a case in the Delhi High Court. Although they received a favourable order in 2010, the order was never implemented and was later challenged in the Supreme Court by the government. However, in February 2020, the Supreme Court directed the government to grant PC and command postings in all services other than combat to women Army officers.
Permanent Commission for Women in Other Forces
Following this directive from the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Defence has taken steps to implement the grant of PC to women officers across all three services. In the Indian Air Force, Women Officers have the option of seeking PC in all streams except the flying branch. The Navy has opened up several departments such as logistics, naval designing, air traffic control, engineering, and legal to allow PC of women.
The Next Steps
With this new order in effect, women officers are now eligible to occupy all command appointments alongside their male counterparts. This change opens avenues for them to be promoted to higher ranks. However, this development came amidst concerns that the higher rank and file might have issues with women as commanding officers. Therefore, there is a need for a shift in the culture, norms, and values of not only the Army but society at large. The responsibility to usher these changes lies with the senior military and political leadership.
