New Delhi:The Delhi High Court on Friday in a unanimous judgement ordered the Indian Air Force and Army to grant permanent commission to women officers. A bench
headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul made a decision in the favour of women officers
asking the Central Government to provide all major benefits to them. The High
Court had on December 14 reserved its order on the petitions for a direction to
the Centre for granting of permanent commission to serving women officers like
their male counterparts in the armed forces. Now, women have the same terms of
employment as men. Women had to retire after 14-years in service irrespective
of their record. This has come as a major boost to the women serving in the defence
services. They were not entitled to pension and other financial benefits after
retirement. Men, on the other hand are eligible to receive permanent commission
after five years. Women were first allowed into the army in 1992. In 2005, the
army limited the service for women to 14 years.
