In a historic first, the Indian army has cleared over 30 women officers for command roles. The step will not only empower female officers within the system, but also encourage women across the country to join the armed forces.
While the Indian Army is holding promotion boards for 108 vacancies of select Colonel rank for women officers from 1992 to 2005 batches, more such lists are expected to be coming out soon. These women officers would also get considered for future promotions and higher ranks in the force.
According to reports, the initial list includes names from different arms and services including Corps of Engineers, Signals, Ordnance and Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
“Women officers are being given opportunities at par with their male counterparts. The process for selection of women officers to tenant command assignments in Colonel rank is in progress, “ said the army headquarters officials.
In a recent move, the Indian army decided to start inducting women into combat arms in the near future beginning with the Regiment of Artillery, the second largest arm of the Indian aArmy, after the infantry.
Women soldiers are also getting inducted through the Agnipath entry scheme,; and the first batch of over 100 women Agniveers will join their training centre in Bengaluru in March 2023.
Recently, Captain Shiva Chauhan from the 57 Engineers regiment became the first woman army officer to have gotten deployed at Siachen for three months.
Additionally, The Indian Army has also started deploying women soldiers in joint exercises with friendly foreign countries and in peacekeeping missions.
Image Source: PTI