For not following the Delhi High Court’s 2010 order granting permanent commission to women Army officers, the Supreme Court on Monday lashed out at the Centre.
The apex court said Centre’s submission was based on ‘sex stereotypes’.
“Permanent commission will apply to all women officers in the Army in service, irrespective of their years of service,” the Supreme Court said.
“There is no reason and justification for the Centre not to act as per the Delhi High Court verdict,” the Supreme Court said.
Reading the order, Justice DY Chandrachud said, “Centre’s contentions regarding the issue of physiological limitations and social norms to deny an opportunity to women officers are disturbing and can’t be accepted.”
The SC order also ruled that absolute exclusion of women from command appointments and considering them only for staff appointments indefensible.
“The women should be considered for command posts on case to case basis,” SC order further stated.
On August 15, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to grant permanent commission to women officers in the armed forces who were selected through short service commission.
The defence ministry in March 2019, announced that women officers inducted through short service commission would be considered for permanent commission in eight more branches.