Shivani Gadhavi –
Published On: November 12, 2021 at 17:38 IST
The Indian Army granted Permanent Commission to 11 women officers and made all women officers eligible for the same on 12th November 2021 after the Supreme Court cautioned it of contempt of the court.
72 women officers approached the Apex Court claiming that its order from 25th March, 2021 was not considered and all 72 of them were not granted the Permanent Commission.
In its March 25th order, the Supreme Court had directed the Indian Army to consider granting Permanent Commission to the women Short Service Commission Officers if they fulfill all the conditions being- obtaining 60% marks in the assessment subjects, being found fit on medical criteria and having received disciplinary and vigilance clearances.
On 17th February, 2020, the Apex Court had directed the Center that women officers in the Army be made eligible for a permanent commission, rejecting the Central Government’s opposition that women have physiological limitations, stating it as being based on “sex stereotypes” and “gender discrimination against women”.
The Bench of Justices of DY Chandrachud and AS Boppana had earlier asked the Central Government to file an affidavit justifying as to why 72 women Short Service Commission officers were not granted for Permanent Commission. The Center then informed the Supreme Court that after re-perusal of the case of each of the 72 women SSC officers, it came to the decision that 39 officers can be considered for PC.
The Center stated in response to Supreme Court’s query, “One officer has decided to quit, seven have been found medically unfit and 25 officers cannot be granted PC as they have adverse ACR reports of indiscipline and disobedience and poor operational report.”
