Women Officers on Parade

Women officers were commissioned in Indian Army as officers in Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps and Military Nursing Services since Independence and in Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Crops, Army Education Corps and Judge Advocate General Department since 1992 through Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES). After a 24 weeks training, they were commissioned for a period of five years. Short Service Commission (SSC) for men was in vogue since 1964 for all Arms and Services included a 49-week training after which they became eligible for a five year tenure extendable by another five years i.e. (5+5).

Men could also opt for Permanent Commission after SSC, upon screening by Selection Boards. Such an option for Permanent Commission (PC) was not available to women officers under WSES.

In 2008, Government of India approved PC for women officers in AEC and JAG which materialized in 2010, after which the women officers commissioned in balance eight Arms and Services sought PC at par with their make counterparts. On 15 Aug 2018, the Hon’ble PM announced that women officers would be eligible for consideration for grant of PC in the balance eight Arms and Services. A Govt Sanction Letter (GSL) was issued on 25 Feb 2019 for the purpose.

This was followed by Hon’ble Supreme Court’s directions on 17 Feb 2020 for the same. On 16 Jul 2020, GSL was issued granting consideration for PC to women officers at par with their male counterparts.

This is a major step towards women empowerment where women can work side by side with men to save the borders of this great nation and to protect the nations. Department of posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Permanent Commission to Women Officers in Indian Army.