In an effort to resolve the issue of offering permanent commission to women, the Indian Army is mulling to create a “specialized cadre” system so that they can be assigned non-combatant roles.
Six branches of the Indian Army have been identified for women to continue their job after completion of 10+4 years of Short Service Commission. The branches include Judge Advocate General (JAG), image interpreter, language, cyber & IT, Air Traffic Control and Service Selection Board.
Currently, the women officers retire after 10 years in service. However, if they wish to continue they are being given four years of extension.
“The Army is looking at resolving the issues of short service commission. After completing 10 years in the service, the women have options either to retire or continue for four more years. But now, the Army is considering to have permanent commission,” Army sources said. For their male counterpart, they have an option of permanent commission after completion of 10 years in service.
Last month, the government had informed the Supreme Court that it is considering granting permanent commission (PC) to short service commission (SSC) women army officers. In 2009, certain women officers had approached the apex court for having permanent commission for women officers.
In 2012, the Supreme Court had stated that those women, who want to continue their job, must be allowed to do so and they should not be discharged after 10+4 years.
However, the sources added that on combat role for women officers, “It is still in debating mode.” Currently, the women officers enjoy permanent commission in two branches --- JAG and Army Education Corps.
Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had vouched for women officers in combat role and said that the government is working "seriously" to have women in combat uniforms. She said it will bring gender parity in the Indian armed forces and enable women to be deployed on-board submarines of the Navy and tanks of the army.
In an effort to resolve the issue of offering permanent commission to women, the Indian Army is mulling to create a “specialized cadre” system so that they can be assigned non-combatant roles.
Six branches of the Indian Army have been identified for women to continue their job after completion of 10+4 years of Short Service Commission. The branches include Judge Advocate General (JAG), image interpreter, language, cyber & IT, Air Traffic Control and Service Selection Board.
Currently, the women officers retire after 10 years in service. However, if they wish to continue they are being given four years of extension.
“The Army is looking at resolving the issues of short service commission. After completing 10 years in the service, the women have options either to retire or continue for four more years. But now, the Army is considering to have permanent commission,” Army sources said. For their male counterpart, they have an option of permanent commission after completion of 10 years in service.
Last month, the government had informed the Supreme Court that it is considering granting permanent commission (PC) to short service commission (SSC) women army officers. In 2009, certain women officers had approached the apex court for having permanent commission for women officers.
In 2012, the Supreme Court had stated that those women, who want to continue their job, must be allowed to do so and they should not be discharged after 10+4 years.
However, the sources added that on combat role for women officers, “It is still in debating mode.” Currently, the women officers enjoy permanent commission in two branches --- JAG and Army Education Corps.
Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had vouched for women officers in combat role and said that the government is working "seriously" to have women in combat uniforms. She said it will bring gender parity in the Indian armed forces and enable women to be deployed on-board submarines of the Navy and tanks of the army.
