SC directs Centre to grant permission to women officers in Army within three months

Supreme Court today directed the Centre to grant permanent commission to all women officers who opt for it in the Army within three months. It said there will not be any bar on giving them command postings. 

A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud rejected the Centre's argument of physiological limitations and social norms for denying them permanent commission and command postings, saying it is disturbing. The Court also observed that women officers will be eligible for command posts and that barring women in the army from such posts was irrational and against the Right to



Equality.

The bench said women officers in the past have brought laurels to the country and change of mindset is required on the part of the government to put an end to gender bias in armed forces.

The apex court said that despite there being no stay on the 2010 Delhi High Court verdict allowing grant of permanent commission to women officers, the Centre showed little regard in implementing the directive in past one decade.

Women officers in the army have expressed delight at the judgement, calling it progressive and historical.