Supreme Court of India Monday upheld the Delhi High Court judgment that granted women officers in Army a Permanent Commission like their male counterparts. In a judgment that breaks a glass ceiling as far as gender equality in the Indian Army is concerned, the Supreme Court ruled that exclusion of women from command posting goes against the principles of equal opportunity in public service, ie, Articles 14 and 16.
A bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud rejected the Centre’s argument of physiological limitations and social norms for denying them a permanent commission and command postings, saying it is disturbing and against the concept of equality. The bench said women officers in the past have brought laurels to the country and change of mindset is required on the part of the government to put an end to gender bias in armed forces. The Supreme Court said despite there being no stay on the 2010 Delhi High Court verdict allowing the grant of permanent commission to women officers, the Centre showed scant regard in implementing the directive in past one decade.