Navy to grant permanent commission to women officers on completing 7 years

Navy is last of all 3 armed forces to allow permanent commission to women; so far offered only short service commission of 14 years to women

The Indian Navy on Wednesday announced grant of permanent commission to women officers on completion of seven years in service, adding that seven of its women officers who joined in 2008-09 will be accorded permanent commission.

The permanent commission is subject to meeting the requisite criteria, including physical fitness and good annual confidential report.

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• Navy to grant permanent commission to women

An official statement said the navy was also finalising a policy to enable women officers to serve on select warships with appropriate facilities for women.

"Recognising the importance of providing equal opportunities to women officers, seven women officers from the batch of Short Service Commission officers of the education branch and naval constructor cadre, who joined in 2008-09, have been granted permanent commission," a statement from the navy said.

The navy is the last of the three armed forces to allow permanent commission to women, and so far offered only short service commission of 14 years to women.

"Additional avenues for employment of women officers have also been opened up. Starting in 2017, women officers can choose to join as pilots on maritime reconnaissance planes, namely Boeing P8I, Dornier etc., as also in the naval armament inspectorate cadre," the statement said.

Last year, the Indian Air Force announced induction of women in the fighter stream, the first Indian armed force to allow women in combat role.

The decision, however, is on an "experimental basis" for five years.