Government falls in line, 11 women army officers given permanent commission

Eleven women army officers were granted permanent commission yesterday by the Union Government. All the officers meet the eligibility criteria for permanent commission, but were denied it all these days.

The decision comes in the wake of the Supreme Court warning that it would initiate contempt proceedings if the women officers were not given permanent commission. The warning had come from a Bench led by Justice D Y Chandrachud.

The 11 officers had filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court stating that they were being denied permanent commission, although they fulfil the eligibility criteria, as stated by the Court in its order. Over 70, women officers had approached the Supreme Court in August challenging the Army’s decision to deny them permanent commission.

The government informed the Court that Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers, who have not approached the court, but meet the eligibility criteria, would also be granted permanent commission within three weeks.