Women officers in Indian Defence Forces

August 29th, 2007
Steps have been taken by the three Services to attract more women to join Armed Forces. All officers including Women Short Service Commission (SSC) officers are now eligible to hold substantive rank of Captain, Major and Lt Col after 2, 6 and 13 years of reckonable service respectively. Government has also issued orders extending the tenure of SSC officers including women officers from 10 years to 14 years. The number of posts Arm/Service/Branch tenable by women officers are being constantly reviewed.

While women officers are treated at par with similarly placed male counterparts in terms of recruitment, training, tenure of service, promotion etc, they are, however, not eligible for Permanent Commission except Medical, Nursing and Dental Services. Writ petitions have been filed by three women officers of Air Force against non-grant of Permanent Commission, extension of Commission. The matter is subjudice. Similarly, one retired women officer of Navy has lodged a complaint for the same.

The number of women officer who left the three service during the last three years is 141, 37 and 111 in Army, Navy and Air Force respectively. The number of serving women officers in the three Services of Defence Forces and their percentage to the total strength are a) Army has 945 women, 2.67% b) Air Force has 739 women, 7% and c) Navy has 236, 2.94%.
Women officers in Indian Defence Forces
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