Army Plans Special Cadre To Grant Permanent Commission To Women

The Indian Army has since long been dealing with the issue of offering permanent commission to women in the force. It is now officially planning to create a ‘special cadre’ system for women's permanent commission, official sources said on May 7. They are considering assigning women in non-combatant roles.

The Army is set to create the permanent commission to women in six segments, including cyber and IT, corps of military police and various posts in the Service Selection Board

Currently, only the Army Education Corps (AEC) and the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Department induct women. Also, a majority of women officers have a maximum tenure of 14 years in the Army.

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Sources said the Army was seriously working on extending the areas where women can be recruited.

"The Army is considering creating a special cadre for recruitment of women officers under permanent commission category," said an army officer.

Last month, the Centre had suggested to the Supreme Court to considering granting permanent commission to short service commission women army officers. Women army officers recruited under SSC scheme had approached courts seeking permanent commission status. Similarly, in September last year, women officers rejoiced after the Army announced women's induction in the military police. It was a major development and is being seen as a precursor to inducting women in combat roles.

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However, the Indian Army is yet to place women officers in combat roles. Germany, Australia, Canada, USA, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and Israel are a few countries that have allowed women in combat roles in full force.

Also read: India women army officers talk about the hurdles they face

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