In a significant observation underscoring the role of women in the armed forces, the Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre not to discharge Short Service Commission (SSC) women Army officers who are currently challenging the denial of permanent commission. Emphasizing the importance of morale and service in the current environment, the court said, *“Let’s not bring their morale down in the prevailing situation.”_
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh made the remarks while hearing a batch of petitions filed by 69 women Army officers. The court posted the matter for hearing in August and directed that the petitioners should not be released from service till then.
“They are brilliant officers. You can use their services somewhere else. This is not the time that they be asked to roam around in the Supreme Court. They have a better place to be and serve the country,” Justice Kant remarked during the hearing.
Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati argued that the decision was based on a longstanding administrative policy aimed at maintaining a young and agile force. She opposed any interim relief, stating that only 250 personnel receive permanent commission annually.
Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, representing Colonel Geeta Sharma, referred to the exemplary service of Colonel Sofia Qureshi—one of the two officers who briefed the media during the recent Operation Sindoor on May 7 and 8. Guruswamy highlighted that Colonel Qureshi had also earlier approached the court for similar relief and had since made the country proud with her achievements.
While acknowledging these contributions, the bench clarified that the current case was of a legal nature and would be decided on legal principles, rather than on individual accomplishments.
The issue of permanent commission for women officers has seen a series of judicial interventions since the landmark Supreme Court judgment dated February 17, 2020. In that ruling, the court held that the blanket exclusion of women officers from command positions and their restriction to staff roles was legally indefensible. The verdict paved the way for the grant of permanent commission to women officers in the Army, noting that such a move was essential for equal career progression.
Following that judgment, the top court has issued similar directives in relation to the Navy, Indian Air Force, and Coast Guard, reinforcing the constitutional guarantee of equality in service.
The matter will now be heard in August, with the court maintaining that until then, the officers shall continue in service.
