Women Officers in the Army
The induction of Women Officers is based on the organizational requirement, fighting efficiency, combat effectiveness and functionality of the Army. There has been a progressive enhancement in the induction of women in the Army since 1992.
Initially, women were inducted in Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Army Education Corps and Judge Advocate General Branch. In 1996, Engineers, Signals, Intelligence and Electrical & Mechanical Engineering branches were opened for Women. Subsequently, two more Branches were opened viz. Aviation and Air Defence.
Since September 2008, Women Officers are eligible for grant of Permanent Commission (PC) in Army Education Corps and Judge Advocate General Department.
The total number of women officers in the Army (excluding Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps and Military Nursing Service), as on 01.04.2016, is 1514.
Women are inducted as Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) alongwith men SSCOs in Army within the overall authorized strength of the officers’ cadre. As such, the question of shortage of women officers in the Army does not arise.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Rajya Sabha today.
PIB
