'Mindset Should Change Now,' SC Directs Centre To Grant Permanent Commission To Women Officers In Army

The bench said women officers in the past have brought laurels to the country and change of mindset is required on the part of the government to put an end to gender bias in armed forces.The court also observed that the Centre, by not giving permanent commission to women officers, had prejudiced the case.

Image used for representational purpose/ (Photo by ARUN SANKAR / AFP)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to provide permanent commission to women officers in Army, rejecting the contentions of the Centre that only women are responsible for domestic duties. The apex court was listening to the Centre's appeal challenging the Delhi High Court's ruling in 2010, for granting permanent commission to women officers in Army. Supreme Court said that after the judgment of Delhi High Court, Centre should grant permanent commission to women officers and directed Centre to grant permanent commission within 3 months to all women officers in Army who opt for it. SC said that the contentions of the centre, regarding the issue of physiological limitations and social norms to deny an opportunity to women officers is disturbing and can't be accepted. The court also observed that the Centre, by not giving permanent commission to women officers, had prejudiced the case. The government in its argument had pointed out several issues, including "physical prowess" and "physiological limitations", as challenges for women officers to meet the exigencies of service in the Army. The bench said women officers in the past have brought laurels to the country and change of mindset is required on the part of the government to put an end to gender bias in armed forces. The top court said despite there being no stay on the 2010 Delhi High Court verdict allowing grant of permanent commission to women officers, the Centre showed scant regard in implementing the directive in past one decade. Supreme Court said in its ruling that the permanent commission will apply to all women officers in the Army in service, irrespective of their years of service. We dispose off the petitions and necessary compliance of this court's order within a period of 3 months, said Justice Chandrachud.