Process to grant women PC in Army set in motion

The Indian Army has started the process of giving permanent commission to women officers who have joined the service through Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES) and Short Service Commission Women (SSCW). They have been asked to submit the application along with other documents to Army headquarters by August 31, 2020.

Currently women officers are eligible for permanent commission (PC) in only two non-combat streams of the Army which are judge and advocate-general (JAG) and Army Education Corps.

The Supreme Court in February had directed that all serving women officers who have been recruited under the Short Service Commission (SSC) will have to be considered for PC and holding of command in non-combat.

Thereafter, last month the defence ministry had issued a formal order to allow serving women officers to be eligible for permanent commission in eight additional streams.

“Consequent to the receipt of formal government sanction letter for grant of PC to women officers in Indian Army, the Army HQ is in the process of convening a Special Number 5 Selection Board for screening women officers for grant of PC,” said Indian Army in a statement.