The Supreme Court has ruled that women Short Service Commission officers in the Indian defence forces will be entitled to pension benefits, providing relief through a one-time measure.
The court held that officers who were considered for Permanent Commission but denied it will be deemed to have completed 20 years of qualifying service for pension purposes.
Those still in service will be entitled to permanent commission subject to grades obtained, medical criteria, vigilance, and disciplinary clearance.
The judgment came on petitions filed by women officers of the Indian Air Force, challenging the denial of Permanent Commission under policy changes introduced in 2019.
The court found flaws in the Air Force policy, stating that performance criteria were applied without giving officers a fair opportunity to meet them.
The court directed that all Short Service Commission officers who were considered for Permanent Commission in 2019, 2020, and 2021 would be deemed to have completed 20 years of qualifying service and will be entitled to pension and other consequential benefits.
The pension will be calculated based on the deemed completion of 20 years of service and will take effect from November 1, 2025.
