In a first, Indian Navy set to give permanent commission to women

NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy said on Wednesday it has begun granting permanent commission to women officers while also considering a policy to allow them on warships, the latest gender barriers to come down in the country’s male-dominated military.

The first set of seven women officers to be given permanent commission is from the 2008-09 batch of the navy’s education and naval construction wings.

“The navy is also finalising (a) policy for women officers to serve on select warships that have appropriate facilities for women,” an official statement said.

The navy allows women officers in short service commission with a maximum tenure of 14 years, rendering them ineligible for pension that comes with at least 20 years of service. The army and air force already have permanent commissions for women.

Defence sources said women officers will have to meet at least four conditions for permanent commission, including medical fitness and a good annual confidential report. Women officers will also have to opt for permanent commission at the start of their service. The announcement came on the eve of a three-day naval commanders’ conference in New Delhi, which will be addressed by defence minister Manohar Parrikar.

Long a male bastion, the Indian military has, of late, been removing some glaring gender barriers, both in terms of service rules and the nature of their jobs. CONTINUED ON P11