The Army has sent a proposal to the Defence Ministry for changing the terms and conditions of the service of women officers so that permanent commission can be granted to them. At present, they serve in various non-combat units like Army Education Corps, Engineers Regiment, Army Aviation Corps, Intelligence Corps, Army Service Corps and Army Ordnance Corps.
However, women are eligible for permanent commission in branches like Judge Advocate General(JAG) and Education Corps. They retire from all other branches after serving 14 years as Short Service Commission officers, while their male counterparts can get permanent commission after putting in five years of service as SSC officers.
Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag conveyed the Army’s recommendation for permanent commission in other branches while interacting on Tuesday with the all-women contingent which took part in the Republic Day parade on Monday.