theTripurapost News Images

Supreme Court to Hear Women Army Officers’ Discrimination Plea

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Delhi
  • Sep 24, 2025
  • 595

The Supreme Court will on Wednesday hear the allegations made by 13 women officers of the Indian Army’s Short Service Commission (SSC), who claim they faced discrimination in being granted permanent commission (PC) compared to their male counterparts.

Government Representation

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati will appear on behalf of the Centre.

Core Allegations

On September 18, the women officers appeared before a bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and N. Kotiswar Singh, alleging that despite equal contributions in critical operations such as Galwan, Balakot, and Operation Sindoor, their cases for PC were overlooked.

They argued that their Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) were not evaluated on par with those of male officers:

Male officers’ “criteria appointments” were recorded in ACRs,

But female officers’ postings were omitted.


Expressing surprise, the bench remarked:

> “How can there be two different standards for male and female officers despite having the same training and posting? Criteria appointments are recorded in the ACRs of male officers, but this was ignored in the case of female officers.”

 

Contributions Highlighted by Women Officers

Lt. Col. Vanita Padhi: UN Peacekeeping Mission in Congo; Company Commander in Ferozepur border.

Lt. Col. Chandni Mishra: First woman pilot across 88 countries to fly MEAT (Manoeuvrable Expendable Aerial Target).

Lt. Col. Geeta Sharma: Commanded communications unit during the Galwan clash in Ladakh.

Lt. Col. Swati Rawat: Command postings in Operation Sindoor and counter-insurgency ops in Basauli, J&K.


Alleged Violation of SC Orders

Senior Advocate V. Mohana contended that the Centre had ignored earlier Supreme Court rulings (2020, 2021) which mandated gender equality in granting permanent commission.

Government cited vacancy constraints, despite the 250-person limit being breached multiple times.


Legal Background

Babita Punia case (Feb 17, 2020): SC declared denial of PC to women as unconstitutional.

Nishita case (2021): SC reinforced the order, mandating equal opportunities.