Essay on Women Permanent Service Commission
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- August 29, 2023
- 10:54 am
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Table of Contents
Introduction
The women of India have often been an active part in protecting our motherland and its countrymen during the times of war and have fought alongside men. Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jhansi, is one such example, she is considered to be a symbol of resistance to British rule in India and one of the greatest leaders of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. To protect her city and its people, she formed an army.
She fought the British forces, despite being a woman in a 19th century India where a woman leading an army was something unimaginable. Even though she Martyrdom in combat, due to her bravery, fierceness and immense love for her people, she is still alive in the heart of millions of Indians, as a perfect embodiment of woman empowerment and gender equality.
Even during the British rule, the role of women in the Indian Army has been noticeable. The women have a glorious history of serving the Indian Army, starting from the times of World War I and World War II to the present day. Though, women were officially allowed in the Indian Armed Forces (IAF) in 1992.
There were many restriction and regulation on the women officers, especially regarding the grant of permanent commission, primarily based on gender biases. There have been multiple court battles for equal rights without satisfactory results. Still, finally in July 2020, the apex court gave its decision on the appeal debarring all the discriminations and stereotypes, providing true equality to the women officers in the IAF.
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Women in Army: Background of the case
The role of women in the Indian Army began in late 1888 when the “Indian Military Nursing Service” was formed during the British rule. These women had fought in both World War I (1914–18) and World War II (1939-45), where 350 of these brave souls either lost their lives in combat or, were declared missing.
The official introduction of women in the Indian Armed Forces after its independence began in the year 1992.
They were commissioned for five years in selected few streams such as – Intelligence Corps, Army Education Corps, Corps of Signals and Corps of Engineers. The women recruits were selected under the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES), which had a shorter training period than their male counterparts who were commissioned under the Short Service Commission (SSC) scheme.
Later in 2006, the SSC scheme was extended to women officers as well, replacing the WSES scheme. This allowed them to serve a maximum of 14 years as SSC officers. While women could only join through SSC, and they could not opt for permanent commission, the male SSC officers could opt for permanent commission at the end of 10 years of service. As a result, the women SSC officers at the end of their service could not qualify for a pension, as it’s only available for those with more than 20 years of service as an officer.
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Permanent Service Commission: The battle in the courts
Demanding the grant of permanent commission (PC) to women SSC officers in the army, a PIL was filed before the Delhi High Court in 2003. On 16th October 2006, another writ petition was filed by Major Leena Gurav demanding the same.
In September 2008, the Defence Ministry heard the pleas and passed an order to grant permanent commission to SSC women officers, but only to the officers in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) and the Army Education Corps (AEC) departments. This did not satisfy their demands as PC was only granted prospectively, and only in certain specified streams; therefore, this circular was challenged before the Delhi High Court.
2003, 2006, and 2008 challenges were heard by the High Court together, and it passed judgment in 2010. It ruled that women officers of the Air Force and Army on SSC who had sought PC but were no granted shall be entitled PC. Though, this was only available to women officers in service who had instituted proceedings before the High Court, and retired during the pendency of the writ petitions.
Although the High Court judgment was not stayed, the directions given by them were not implemented by the Defence Ministry and the order was challenged in the Supreme Court. The government passed an order in February 2019 for the grant of PC to SSC women officers in 8 streams of the Army in addition to the JAG and AEC. Although any command appointments would not be offered to them, and they would be allowed to serve only in staff posts.
During the hearing, the government proposed, that the women officers with up to 14 years of service would be granted PC, women officers with more than 14 years of service will be given permissions to serve up to 20 years and would be offered retirement with pension and for those with more than 20 years of service would be released immediately with the provision of pension.
Seven facts about Women Permanent Service Commission
The Women Permanent Service Commission was started in the Indian army to let women become officers for life. The government created rules and decisions to officially accept the WPSC.
The WPSC is an important move to give men and women in India’s armed forces similar chances. It lets women become job officers in different parts, such as the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Ladies wanting to join the forces with WPSC must meet certain rules. They need good education, can’t be too old and have stay fitty requirements. The rules might change depending on what part and job they want to join.
Women officers picked by the WPSC get their training at military schools like IMA for Army, INA for Navy and Air Force Academy. The learning is made to get them ready for their jobs as officers on duty.
Ladies chosen by the WPSC can advance in their jobs and rise up just like men officers. They can focus on different areas and jobs in the armed forces, such as fighting roles or non-fighting tasks.
Ladies in the army can do many jobs through WPSC, like fighting and helping roles or office work. These could be medical jobs too. Their help is very important to how the armed forces work and do things well.
The Supreme Court’s decision on Permanent Service Commission
The government presented other arguments before the SC to justify the proposal on the grounds of PC, grants of pension, for discrimination against women, SSC as a support cadre, and rationalization on physiological limitations for employment in appointing staff.
Though the SC has rejected these arguments; as they were said to be based on gender-based stereotypes premised on assumptions and also which discriminate against women. Moreover, it also said that it only shows the necessity of bringing “change in mindsets” to achieve true equality in the Army.
The Defence Ministry has issued a letter to grant PC to women officers in the Indian Army on 23rd July 2020. In addition to the existing streams of Advocate General, Judge, and Army Educational Corps, this order allows PC to the SSC women officers in all ten streams of the Indian Air Force (Army Air Defence, Signals, Army Aviation, Army Ordnance Corps, Engineers, Electronics, Mechanical Engineers, Army Service Corps, and Intelligence Corps).
The SC has abolished all the regulations and discriminations based on the years of service for the grant of PC in all ten streams of combat support arms and services. It brings the SSC women officers at par with the male officers. However, the most significant and far-reaching aspect of the judgment is the removal of the restriction of women officers only being allowed to serve in staff appointments.
What is the Women Permanent Service Commission (WPSC) in the Indian army?
The Women Permanent Service Commission is a rule in the Indian military. It lets women be officers forever. It was brought in to give women the same chances as men in different parts of military services.
How was the WPSC created?
The Women Permanent Service Commission was made to fix problems about gender differences in the Indian military. In the past, rules and laws have been made by governments to fully accept and use WPSC. This lets women become official career officers for life in military jobs.
What parts of the military can women join under the WPSC?
Women in the WPSC can do different jobs with armed forces like Army, Navy and Air Force. They can earn money in both fighting and non-fighting jobs, helping out with various parts of military work.
What do women need to be eligible for the WPSC?
The rules for women who want to join by the WPSC are schools, age limits and good health. These rules can change depending on the particular part and role in the armed forces.
Why is the WPSC important for women's jobs in the army?
The Women Permanent Service Commission is important. It gives women a chance to have long-term jobs as commissioned officers in the army, navy or air force. It shows a step towards equal rights for men and women, letting ladies help protect the country all the time.
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Conclusion
The decision by the SC is a huge step in the right direction for the country, as women in the Indian Armed Forces have had a demonstrated history of being excellent officers, the removal of these regulations will further open windows of opportunities for them. It will not only bring change in the training, pension, and promotion process for the SSC women officers but also bring significant change in the mindset of people.
With proper training, the women officers will have just as much to contribute as their male counterparts. Such an example can be seen as a case of Avani Chaturvedi, Mohana Singh and Bhawana Kanth. They were the first-ever Indian women pilots to undergo fighter pilot training in 2018. And as a result of proper training and equal opportunities, in 2019, Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth became the first Indian woman fighter pilot in the of the Indian Air Force and created history.
The SC’s progressive decision is excellent in bringing true equality in the Indian Army, as the senior military and political leadership will have no choice but to put an end to the artificial hurdles created based on a stereotype.
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