Permanent Commission to Women Officers in Indian Army

Induction of Women Officers in the Indian Army

Women have been an integral part of the Indian Army since Independence. They were initially commissioned as officers in the Army Medical Corps (AMC), Army Dental Corps (ADC) and Military Nursing Service (MNS). In 1992, their induction was expanded to include the Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Army Education Corps (AEC) and the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Department through the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES).

Under WSES, women officers underwent 24 weeks of pre-commission training and were commissioned for a five-year tenure. In contrast, Short Service Commission (SSC) for men had been in place since 1964, involving 49 weeks of training followed by a five-year tenure extendable by another five years (5+5), with the option to opt for Permanent Commission (PC) after selection by boards. This option was not available to women officers under WSES.

Expansion of Roles and Extension of Service Tenure

In 1996, the tenure of women officers was extended by five years, and their induction was broadened to include the Corps of Engineers, Corps of Signals, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), Intelligence Corps, and Army Air Defence. In 2004, the tenure was further extended by four years.

In 2006, the service terms for women officers were revised, converting their tenure to 10 years extendable by four years (10+4). The WSES was discontinued, and induction commenced through Short Service Commission Women (SSCW – Technical and Non-Technical) streams. Women officers now received 49 weeks of pre-commission training and were granted time-scale promotions up to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, at par with male SSC officers.

Grant of Permanent Commission

In 2008, the Government of India approved Permanent Commission for women officers in AEC and JAG, which was implemented in 2010. Subsequently, women officers in the remaining eight Arms and Services sought parity with their male counterparts in grant of PC.

On 15 August 2018, the Hon’ble Prime Minister announced that women officers would be eligible for consideration for Permanent Commission in the remaining Arms and Services. A Government Sanction Letter (GSL) was issued on 25 February 2019, followed by landmark directions from the Hon’ble Supreme Court on 17 February 2020. This culminated in the issuance of a GSL on 16 July 2020, granting PC consideration to women officers at par with men.

A Special Selection Board convened in September 2020, approving 422 out of 615 women officers for grant of Permanent Commission.

New Avenues and Women Empowerment

On 15 January 2021, the Chief of Army Staff announced that women officers would be eligible for commission as pilots in the Army Aviation Corps, marking a significant milestone in operational integration. This step reflects the Indian Army’s commitment to gender equality and empowerment, enabling women officers to serve alongside men in safeguarding the nation’s borders and sovereignty.

Commemoration through Postage Stamp

The progressive journey of women officers towards full professional parity stands as a landmark achievement in the history of the Indian Army. To commemorate this historic development, the Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on the Grant of Permanent Commission to Women Officers in the Indian Army, honouring their dedication, courage and service to the nation.