Women Officers in Armed Forces

Women Officers in Armed Forces

Army:  Women Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) of all Arms/ services are eligible for substantive promotion to non select ranks of Captain, Major and Lieutenant Colonel on completion of two, six and 13 years of reckonable commissioned service respectively, at par with Men SSCOs. However, old term optee Women SSCOs and Men SSCOs are governed by different terms and conditions. Based on their respective terms and conditions, old term optee Women SSCOs are eligible for substantive rank of Captain on completion of five year of service, while old term optee Men SSCOs are eligible for promotion to quasi-substantive rank of Captain on completion of nine years of service.  Presently, Permanent Commission is applicable to Women officers from Army Education Corps and Judge Advocate General branch. These women officers are being considered for promotion to the select rank, based on the same criteria as applicable to Male officers.  Navy:  In the Indian Navy, officers are eligible for substantive promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander, Commander and Captain (Time Scale) after completion of 2 years as Sub Lieutenant, 4 years from the date of promotion of Substantive Lieutenant, 11 years from the date of promotion of Substantive Lieutenant and 26 years of reckonable commissioned service respectively. Promotions on these lines are subject to officers fulfilling other criteria as per extant rules. This policy is equally applicable to both men and women officers.  Air Force:  In the Air Force, officers are eligible for substantive promotion to the rank of Flt. Lieutenant, Squadron Leader, Wing Commander and Group Captain (Time Scale) after completion of 2 years, 6 years, 13 years and 26 years of reckonable commissioned service respectively. Promotions on these lines are subject to officers fulfilling other criteria as per extant rules. This policy is equally applicable to both men and women officers.  This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri A.K.S. Vijayanin Lok Sabha today.  DM/VP  (Release ID :98064)