In a step forward towards, gender-neutrality in the armed forces, a Selection Board of the Indian Army cleared the way for the promotion of five women officers to Colonel (Time Scale) rank, post completion of 26 years of reckonable service. This is the first time that women officers serving with the Corps of Signals, Corps of Electronic and Mechanical Engineers (EME) and the Corps of Engineers have been approved to the rank of Colonel. First Batch Of 83 Women Soldiers Inducted Into Military Police Of The Indian Army.
Previously, promotion to the rank of Colonel was only applicable for women officers in the Army Medical Corps (AMC), Judge Advocate General (JAG) and the Army Education Corps (AEC). The widening of promotion avenues to more branches of the Indian Army is a sign of increasing career opportunities for women officers. Changing role of Women Officers in Indian Defence Forces.
Combined with the decision to grant permanent commission to women officers from a majority of branches of the Indian Army, this step defines the Indian Army’s approach towards a gender-neutral Army. The five women officers selected for Colonel Time Scale rank are Lt Col Sangeeta Sardana from the Corps of Signals, Lt Col Sonia Anand and Lt Col Navneet Duggal from the Corps of EME and Lt Col Reenu Khanna and Lt Col Ritcha Sagar from the Corps of Engineers.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court passed interim order allowing women to take the admission exam on September 5 to National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune. At present only boys can join the NDA. The interim order was passed by a division bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hrishikesh Roy while hearing a petition filed by Kush Kalra.
(Article: With Inputs From PIB)
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