New Delhi: Clearing the way for granting
permanent commission to women officers in the armed forces,
government has introduced a policy on their selection and
employment in some select branches of the three services,
Defence Minister A K Antony told the Lok Sabha on Monday.
Replying to a question in the House, Antony said that a
policy has been laid down for granting permanent commission to
women officers in several technical and non-technical cadres.
"The Ministry has issued a government letter on November
11, 2011 inter-alia laying down policy on induction and
employment of women in armed forces including grant of
Permanent Commission to women Short Service Commission
Officers (SSCO)," he said.
They will be eligible for permanent commission in specific
branches of the three services such as Judge Advocate General
(JAG) and Army Education Corps (AEC) and their corresponding
branches in Navy and Air Force such as Naval Constructor and
Accounts branch in Air Force, the Minister said.
"In addition to the above, in IAF, women SSCO will be
eligible for consideration of permanent commission in
Technical, Administration, Logistics and Meteorology
Branches," he said.
The grant of permanent commission will be subject to
willingness of candidate and specific requirements by the
services, availability of vacancies, suitability and merit of
the candidates, Antony said in his reply.
Excluding the Army Medical Corps, Dental Corps and
Military Nursing Services where women are allowed to join on
permanent commission, a total of 2,279 women officers are
presently serving in the three forces.
PTI
