Agency (New Delhi): In a significant move towards gender equality, the Indian Army is actively working on developing a policy that focuses on the career progression of women officers, particularly addressing their promotion from the rank of colonel to brigadier. This development was shared with the Supreme Court of India on Monday.
A bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, including Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, acknowledged the submissions made by Attorney General R Venkataramani and senior advocate R Balasubramanian. The court was informed that the Army is in the process of formulating a policy for this purpose.
Recognizing the importance of this issue, the Supreme Court has granted the Army time until March 31, 2024, to establish this policy. This follows an earlier directive focusing on the career progression of women officers. The matter is set to be reviewed in the first week of April next year.
This move comes against the backdrop of allegations from some women Army officers about discrimination in their promotion from the rank of colonel to brigadier. In a landmark judgment on February 17, 2020, the Supreme Court had ordered the provision of permanent commission for women officers in the Army. This ruling was a significant step in rejecting the Centre’s argument about women’s “physiological limitations”, which the court identified as “sex stereotypes” and labeled as “gender discrimination against women”.
Furthermore, on March 17, 2020, the Supreme Court had issued another major verdict, paving the way for granting permanent commission to women officers in the Indian Navy. This decision underscored the need for a level playing field, recognizing the importance of giving women the opportunity to overcome historical patterns of discrimination.
The formulation of this policy by the Indian Army is a crucial step in addressing gender disparities within the armed forces. It aims to ensure that women officers receive fair opportunities for career advancement, reflecting a broader commitment to gender equality in one of the nation’s most important institutions.