Not enough women in the Army

NEW DELHI: The Army insists its Vice Chief, Lieutenant General S Pattabhiraman, did not say that the services could do without women. However, Pattabhiraman's alleged statement only reflects the reality of Indian Army: An institution that steadfastly remains a male bastion, unlike several militaries around the world.

Except in the medical branch, where women have received equal treatment, no other branch of the Army gives permanent commission to women. So the longest a woman officer can serve is 14 years. They join as Short Service Commission officers for five years, they may get another five-year extension and finally a four-year extension.

The first batch of women officers joined the Army only in 1992, and a few of them are Lieutenant Colonels, the senior-most rank women outside medical branch hold. But even these 'senior most women' officers face discrimination: They are yet to receive the 'rank pay' of Lt Colonel since they are not permanent commissioned officers. "The matter is being taken up with the ministry," an officer in the headquarters said.

The intake of women is meagre in the 11-lakh strong Army. Every year just 150 of them join the service, while seven to eight leave annually. However, over the past decade-and-a-half there has been a steady increase in the number of women joining. When the scheme to recruit women in Army was started in 1992 the vacancy was for just 50. Today the Army has 918 women officers. Despite the meagre number of women, on an average, some 3000 women apply for 150 vacancies.