Consultations on in MoD on how to implement permanent commissions for women officers in armed forces

The government is working on a policy to implement permanent commission for women officers across the board in the armed forces, sources said after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement in his Independence Day speech on Wednesday.

Officials said contours of the implementation are being finalised by the Ministry of Defence in consultation with all three forces.

There was no clarity on how women who come through the short service commission and can serve for a maximum of 14 years will be able to work till the age of retirement like their male counterparts.

At present, permanent commission for women is limited in the armed forces to certain streams.

The army gives permanent commission to women officers in judge advocate general (JAG) and education branches.

Women officers in the air force can seek permanent commission in all streams except the flying branch.

The navy allows permanent commission of women in logistics, naval designing, air traffic control, engineering and legal.

The government had told the Supreme Court earlier this year that permanent commission to women in short service commission is being considered.

A case relating to permanent commissioning of women in the army is pending in the Supreme Court. 

The hearing a petition filed by a group of women officers the Delhi High Court in 2010 ordered it to give women army officers a permanent commission.

In April, the Centre told the Supreme Court that it was considering granting permanent commission to short service commission women army officers.