Defence Update: Women officers to Get Permanent Commission in All 10 Branches of Indian Army

Women officers will now be granted permanent commission (PC) in all 10 branches of the Indian Army, the defence ministry announced on 5th March. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has taken necessary steps to ensure that women, who were earlier inducted for short service commission (SSC), will now be granted PC in the Armed forces.

“Women officers will be granted permanent commission in the Indian Army in all the ten branches where women are inducted for short service commission,” it said. Permanent commission will be granted to women officers inducted in branches such as signals, engineers, army aviation, army air defence, electronics and mechanical engineers, army service corps, army ordinance corps and intelligence.

“SSC women officers will give their option for PC before completion of four years of commissioned service and they will exercise option for grant of PC and their choice of specialisation,” said the Ministry of Defence’s statement.

“SSC Women officers will be considered for grant of PC based on suitability, merit and will be employed in various staff appointment,” 

This gives opportunity to women officers in the Indian Army to serve for a longer duration across all 10 branches. In a nutshell, they will be able to pursue parmenent careers in all branches of Indian Army.

The ministry had earlier approved the the same for Indian Air Force; all its branches including fighter pilots are open to women officers.

Fresh changes have also been implemented to give more opportunity to women officers in the Indian Navy.

“In Indian Navy, all non-sea going branches/cadre/specialisation have been opened for induction of women officers through Short Service Commission. In addition to education, Law & Naval Constructor branch/cadre, women SSC officers have been made eligible for grant of Permanent Commission in the Naval Armament branch, at par with the male officers,” said the statement released by the ministry.

The government remains committed to introducing measures to help uplift women officers serving in the armed forces.

SOURCE- INDIA TODAY