Woman Officers and Soldiers

Women Officers and Soldiers in the Indian Army

The journey of women in the Indian Army reflects courage, perseverance, and a continuous stride toward equality. From the early days after Independence to recent historic milestones, women have steadily expanded their presence across various arms and services, shaping the narrative of India’s defense forces.

Early Roles and Special Entry Schemes

Women were first commissioned as officers in the Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps, and the Army Nursing Service, serving with distinction in critical roles. In 1992, the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES) opened opportunities in the Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Army Education Corps, and Judge Advocate General (JAG) Department. Under WSES, women underwent 24 weeks of training before receiving a five-year commission. Unlike men under the Short Service Commission (SSC), women initially had no path to a Permanent Commission (PC).

Expanding Horizons

By 1996, women were inducted into additional arms such as the Corps of Engineers, Signals, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), Intelligence Corps, and Army Air Defence. With revised terms in 2006, WSES was replaced by SSCW (Short Service Commission Women), bringing parity in training duration and promotions with male SSC officers.

Towards Permanent Commission

A turning point arrived in 2008, when the Government of India granted PC to women officers in the Army Education Corps and Judge Advocate General’s Department. However, the push for equal opportunities across all arms and services continued, gaining strength from judicial interventions and government reforms.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister’s 2018 Independence Day address announced that women officers would be considered for PC across all branches. This was reinforced by the Supreme Court’s ruling of February 2020, which ensured women officers the right to serve permanently at par with men. In September 2020, a Special Selection Board approved 422 women officers for PC, and in 2021, the Army further opened the Aviation Corps to women pilots.

Entry of Women Soldiers

A historic step came with the induction of women as soldiers (jawans) in the Corps of Military Police (CMP) in 2020. This was the first time women were recruited as soldiers in a non-medical role within the Army, marking the beginning of greater inclusivity at the grassroots level. With rigorous training, these women soldiers now serve in policing duties, maintaining discipline, and assisting in field operations—demonstrating that courage and resilience know no gender.

Symbol of Empowerment

The inclusion of both women officers and soldiers is not just a military reform but a powerful statement of women empowerment in India. Today, women serve alongside men in safeguarding the nation, contributing in areas ranging from logistics and education to aviation and combat-support roles.

Honoring the Milestone Through Philately

To mark this transformative journey, the Department of Posts issued a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Permanent Commission to Women Officers in the Indian Army. The stamp stands as a tribute to their dedication, sacrifice, and the nation’s recognition of their equal role in defense.

For philatelists, this issue is more than a stamp—it is a historic milestone in India’s philatelic history, symbolizing progress, equality, and the growing legacy of women in uniform.