In the Army, 557 women officers have been given permanent commissions

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 30 November 2021

Since the Supreme Court's historic ruling on February 17, 2020, 557 women officers have been granted permanent commission in the Army, the administration notified Parliament on November 29, 2021.

"No delay has been made in granting permanent commission to any women officer," minister of state (MoS) for defence Ajay Bhatt said in a written reply to Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) lawmaker M Shanmugam in the Rajya Sabha.

In accordance with the Supreme Court's decision, 63 qualified women officers have been given permanent commissions until November 25, 2021, according to the ministry.

The Supreme Court had ordered the Centre to issue permanent commissions to women officers in the Army on February 17 of last year. The court rejected the Centre's argument that "physiological limitations" were based on "sex stereotypes" and "gender discrimination against women," saying it was based on "sex stereotypes" and "gender discrimination against women."

The court also ordered that all serving SSC female officers be considered for permanent commission within three months, regardless of whether they have served for 14 or 20 years.

The court issued a warning to the Centre on November 12 after hearing a petition filed by 11 female army officers, stating that it would commence contempt proceedings against the Indian Army for failing to provide permanent commission to the women officers in accordance with prior rulings.

Soon after, the Centre promised the court that all qualified Women Short Service Commission Officers (WSSCO) in the Army will be offered permanent commissions.

The Centre also promised the bench, led by Justice DY Chandrachud, that it would make a judgement on the 11 women officers who had petitioned the Supreme Court for permanent commission within ten days.

After a protracted legal battle that culminated in a Supreme Court order on February 17, 2020, Women Short Service Commission Officers were granted permanent commissions and command positions in non-combat streams on par with male officers.