In an effort to bring women officers on a par with their male counterparts, the Army is now carrying out a selection of suitable women candidates for promotion from Lt Colonel to Colonel. Once selected, they will command their respective units.
Giving details here on Thursday, Army sources said here women officers Special No 3 Selection Board is being conducted for promotion from the rank of Lt Col to Colonel from January 9-22.
A total of 244 women officers are being considered for promotion against 108 vacancies, from 1992 batch to 2006 batch in various Arms and Services (Engineers, Signals, Army Air Defence, Intelligence Corps, Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps and Electrical and Mechanical Engineers).
The vacancies for this Special No 3 Selection Board have been released by the government to promote the affected women officers, to ensure gender parity in Indian Army, they said.
A total of 60 affected women officers have been called as observers for the Selection Board, to ensure fair conduct and clarify their apprehensions, if any. On the culmination of the selection board, the 108 women officers who are declared fit, are under consideration to be posted on various command assignments. The first set of such postings will be issued by end of January 2023, sources said.
Women Officers are serving proudly and confidently in various operational theatres of the Indian Army. With an aim to provide equal opportunities to women, the Indian Army has granted Permanent Commission (PC) to women officers on a par with their male counterparts. With the grant of PC, women officers can aspire to achieve greater glory and shoulder higher ranks and responsibility.
All women officers granted PC are undergoing special training courses and challenging military assignments for higher leadership roles in the Indian Army. Permanent Commission to Women Officers in junior batches has also commenced, in which they are considered for PC in their 10th year of service.
Moreover, for the first time, five Women Officers (WOs) have cleared the prestigious Defence Services Staff Course (DSSC) and Defence Services Technical Staff Course (DSTSC) Exam, which is held annually in the month of September. The five WOs will undergo a one year course and give them adequate weightage while being considered for command appointments.