Permanent Commission to SSC officers including women

New Delhi, Sep 26 (UNI) In a major decision, the Government today decided to grant Permanent Commission, to Short Service Commission officers - both men and women, in branches and cadres of the three services where there was no direct combat involved.

The branches, where permanent commission would be granted, include Judge Advocate General, Army Education Corps and its corresponding branches in Navy and Air Force, Accounts Branch of the Air Force and Naval Constructor of the Navy, according to the Defence Ministry.

''The selection will be based on merit and the eligibility criteria would be decided by each Service Headquarters.'' The issue under consideration of the Government, received granting of approval by Defence Minister A K Antony and was approved after a tri-Service study in 2006 recommended that women officers would be excluded from induction in close combat Arms where chances of physical contact with enemy were high.

The Services Headquarters, who were asked to re-examine the issue had only a few days back recommended granting of Permanent Commission to Short Service Commission officers in select cadres and branches.

Women officers have been in the Armed Forces for about 80 years and were inducted in the Military Nursing Service in 1927 and in the Medical Officers Cadre in 1943, while induction of women officers in other branches in the three Services started in 1992.

In the Armed Forces Medical Services there are about 752 lady Medical Officers, 86 lady Dental Officers and 2,834 members of the All Women Military Nursing Service. Out of the 752 lady Medical Officers, 490 are Permanent Commission Officers.

Similarly, 38 per cent of lady Dental officers and 90 per cent members of the MNS hold the Permanent Commission.

UNI AN SK CS1824