Indian Army To Grant ‘Permanent Commission’ For Women Officers, Invites Applications By August 31

Indian Army has initiated the process for granting 'permanent commission' to women officers on the receipt of a formal sanction letter by the Ministry of Defence aimed at empowering and encouraging the latter to shoulder larger responsibilities in the armed forces.

In leading to this, the Indian Army has decided to constitute a 'Special Number 5 Selection Board' that will be granting permanent commission to the women officers following a screening process, and in regard has called for submission of applications before August 31, 2020.

"Consequent to the receipt of formal Government Sanction Letter for grant of Permanent Commission (PC) to Women Officers in Indian Army, the Army HQ is in the process of convening a Special Number 5 Selection Board for screening women officers for grant of PC," a PIB release said.

"Detailed administrative instructions have been issued to all affected women officers giving out guidelines for submission of applications for consideration by the Board," the release further added.

The women officers who joined the Indian Army through the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES) as well as under the Short Service Commission Women (SSCW) will be considered for the grant of permanent commission by special selection board convened for the purpose.

"All of them (women officers) have been instructed to submit their application forms, option certificate and other related documents to Army HQ not later than 31 August 2020," an Indian Army spokesperson said.

The initiative by the Indian Army is consequent to the defence ministry issuing a formal sanction letter on July 23 for granting PC to the women officers following a ruling by the Supreme Court in February, which had remarked that women should be considered for command roles, and were entitled for the grant of permanent commission (PC).