Navy is the last of the three armed forces in the country to allow permanent commission to women.
Highlights
- Women can serve on board warships, fly maritime reconnaissance aircraft
- Currently, women are commissioned to serve for maximum 14 years
- Navy earlier said warships don't have facilities like separate bathrooms
Decks have been cleared for women officers to be accepted on permanent commission in the Indian Navy - enabling them to serve on board warships and join as pilots of maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
At the moment, women are commissioned for short service with a maximum term of 14 years, which makes them ineligible to receive pension. An officer needs to complete 20 years in service to be eligible for pension.
Seven women officers who had joined the Navy in 2008-2009 have been granted permanent commission - including the three who had moved the Supreme Court demanding permanent commission in case they clear the medical qualification tests.
With the new move, women will now be able to serve on board select warships, something denied earlier on grounds that Navy warships did not have facilities on board such as separate bathrooms and shower facilities for women.
From next year, women officers can also choose to join as pilots of maritime reconnaissance aircraft and serve in the Naval Armament Inspectorate Cadre.
In all, 8 additional branches have been opened up for women officers. But unlike the Indian Air Force, women will not be allowed to fly fighter aircraft onboard Indian aircraft carriers at the moment. Neither will they be able to serve on board submarines, most of which are small with no space inside for separate women's accommodation.
Navy became the last of the three armed forces to allow permanent commission to women. Permanent commission has been available to women in the army and air force since 2010.
In 2008, the Navy had decided to grant permanent commission only to women who joined after that year in education, law and naval architecture branches.
In November 2015, the Supreme Court restrained the government and Navy from releasing 17 women officers eligible for permanent commission and questioned their resistance in offering benefits to women.
Last year, the Air Force announced induction of women in fighter jets -- the first of the three forces to allow them in combat role.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)