SC Hears Women Army PC Discrimination Case
Framing uniform guidelines for granting permanent commissions but noted that factors such as specialised training should also be considered: The bench
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday began hearing petitions from women Army officers commissioned under the Short Service Commission (SSC), who allege discrimination in being denied permanent commissions (PC).
A three-judge bench, Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan, and N. Kotiswar Singh, heard two sets of petitions: one by serving officers and another by those already released from service. The Court indicated that, after concluding the Army officers’ hearings, it will take up similar challenges from women Naval officers and then Air Force officers.
Senior advocates Huzefa Ahmadi, Menaka Guruswamy, and V. Mohana, along with other counsel, represented the SSC women officers. They argued that the Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) of women officers were graded casually and that they were denied the same opportunities afforded to their male peers.
The bench suggested framing uniform guidelines for granting permanent commissions but noted that factors such as specialised training should also be considered. It invited the officers’ views on appropriate assessment criteria for PC eligibility.
More than 75 petitions are pending before the Court. The hearing remained inconclusive and will resume on Thursday. The Court confirmed that its earlier interim orders, restraining the Centre from releasing these officers pending final adjudication, will remain in force.