NEW DELHI:
The Army has sent a proposal to the Defence Ministry for changing the terms and conditions of the service of women officers so that permanent commission can be granted to them.
This was disclosed to officers, who took part in the first all-women contingent at Republic Day parade yesterday, by Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh in a special tea session with them at his home.
If this proposal is accepted, then women would be able to serve permanently in the branches that they currently work with.
It must be noted that women officers are not in combat roles.
Women are inducted into the Army as officers under Short Service Commission for a maximum period of 14 years, whereas their male counterparts are eligible to receive permanent commission after five years.
Currently, permanent commission is only allowed in the Judge Advocate General Corps and Army Education Corps.
Army sources said the Chief also said that the women contingent will now be a regular affair at the Republic Day parade.
For the first time in the history of India’s Republic Day, women empowerment in the armed forces was showcased as an all-women contingent from the three forces- Army, Air Force and Navy- marched down the majestic Rajpath yesterday.
While women officers have been participating in previous Republic Day parades, this was for the first time that an all-women contingent of the armed forces participated. (PTI)
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