Centre gets a month to give women Army officers permanent commission

The Supreme Court has given one more month to the Centre to implement its February judgment which ordered permanent commission for eligible women officers in the Indian Army. The Centre has been asked to comply with the apex court order in letter and spirit. The Ministry of Defence submitted that decision making is at its final stage and only formal orders remain to be issued.

The Centre had sought an extension of six months over the 17 May deadline citing Covid-19 pandemic. It had contended that the pandemic affected administrative functioning of the Defence Ministry and the Indian Army and timely compliance with court orders could not take place.

Ruling in favour of women officers in February, the top court had pulled up the Centre for non-implementation of the Delhi High Court order. The apex court criticised the Centre’s submissions, stating that such a stand caused incalculable loss to the serving women officers. The top court had emphasised that attitudes needed to change after 70 years of Independence and casting aspersions on women’s ability and achievements were tantamount to insulting women and the armed forces.

The ruling was based on the cornerstone of non-discrimination in employment is a fundamental right under the law.