In A First, Five Women Officers Promoted To Colonel Rank In Indian Army

Previously, promotion to the rank was applicable for women officers in Army Medical Corps, Judge Adv Gen and Army Education Corps. 

India's armed forces began inducting women officers in 1992 - Getty | Representative Image

New Delhi: Continuous steps are being taken by the Indian Army towards promoting gender equality in the Indian Defense Service.For the first time ever, women officers serving with Corps of Signals, Corps of Electronic & Mechanical Engineers and Corps of Engineers approved to Colonel rank, said Ministry of Defence. 

A Selection Board of the Indian Army cleared the way for the promotion of five women officers to Colonel (Time Scale) rank, post completion of 26 years of reckonable service. 

The five women officers selected for Colonel Time Scale rank are Lt Col Sangeeta Sardana from the Corps of Signals, Lt Col Sonia Anand and Lt Col Navneet Duggal from the Corps of EME and Lt Col Reenu Khanna and Lt Col Ritcha Sagar from the Corps of Engineers. 

The widening of promotion avenues to more branches of the Indian Army is a sign of increasing career opportunities for women officers. Combined with the decision to grant permanent commission to women officers from a majority of branches of the Indian Army, this step defines the Indian Army’s approach towards a gender-neutral Army.

Previously, promotion to the rank of Colonel was only applicable for women officers in the Army Medical Corps (AMC), Judge Advocate General (JAG) and the Army Education Corps (AEC).