Supreme Court Upholds Equal Opportunity for Women in Indian Defence Forces

The Supreme Court of India has issued several landmark orders in 2025 addressing the gender disparity in the nation’s defence forces, specifically regarding the grant of permanent commission to women officers. The apex court criticized policy ‘arbitrariness’ and gender-based barriers, questioning why women and men are evaluated differently for leadership roles despite having identical training and service experience.​ Recent hearings involved the Army's Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers, some of whom had served bravely in UN missions, high-altitude posts, and counterinsurgency operations. The top court reaffirmed its 2020 verdict, ruling that excluding women from command assignments and operational positions is indefensible and a violation of equality and career advancement rights. Orders now extend to the Navy, Air Force, and even specialized arms like the Judge Advocate General branch, guaranteeing merit-based selection and deployment in combat support and operational roles.​ These directives mark a pivotal step for 'Nari Shakti' in defence: India's female officer cohort has grown from approximately 3,000 in 2014 to over 11,000 in 2025, and the gates to elite institutions such as the National Defence Academy are now open to women.​