Permanent commission to women in Indian Navy: SC

Justice DY Chandrachud directed the Centre to grant permanent commission to serving women officers in Navy within three months with increments.The judgment follows a verdict by the Apex Court in favour of granting permanent commission for women in the Indian Army. A permanent commission entitles an officer to serve in the Navy till he/she retires unlike Short Service Commission(SSC), which is currently for 10 years and can be extended by four more years, a total of 14 years.

The Supreme Court said women can sail with the same efficiency as male officers and there should be no discrimination.

• The apex court rejected the Centre’s stand that sea sailing duties cannot be granted to SSC (Short Service Commission) women officers in the Navy because its Russian vessels do not have washrooms for them.
• The order was passed after the court scrapped the statutory bar for inducting women.
• The bench ensured that women are given a permanent commission in the Indian Army on par with male officers, including a command posting.

The bench quoted “To cast aspersions on the ability of women and their role and achievements in the Army is an insult not only to women but also to the Indian Army,”.

About the Indian Navy:
Re-named in 1950 from the Royal Indian Navy to Indian Navy
Commander in Chief: President Ram Nath Kovind
Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh