The chiefs of the Indian army, navy and the air force have stated that soon women too will start getting hired as full-fledged officers just like men. Air Marshal Sumit Mukherjee, air officer personnel at the Indian Air Force headquarters, informed that the very first batch of such women officers will probably be ready by 2013 after undergoing four years of training.   

He added that they will have tenure of 20 years, which can be increased further on the basis of one’s post and performance. A formal decision on this will be made in a couple of months’ time. The permission for a permanent commission for women for 10 years was rejected by authorities in 2005. Permanent commission deals with women officers taking on combat roles, which comprise undertaking and guiding soldiers into the battlefield.

The decision to allow permanent commission to women no doubt will be celebrated by those who advocate equal rights for both sexes. But there are matters that transcend women related issues like culture, gender, principles and so on, governing battlefield and cross-border and hostage situations which need to be properly thought out before taking the final decision.