The policy regarding induction of women in Armed Forces is laid down in Government letter dated 11November 2011 which has been issued after considering the policy paper submitted by a High Level Tri-Service Committee with the approval of Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), keeping in view role and responsibility of the Armed Forces in defending the nation and protecting the territorial integrity of the country. As per ibid Government letter, women are inducted as Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) in the following Branches of the three Services:
ARMY:
(i)
Signals;
(ii)
Engineers;
(iii)
Army Aviation;
(iv)
Army Air Defence;
(v)
Electronics & Mechanical Engineers;
(vi)
Army Service Corps;
(vii)
Army Ordnance Corps;
(viii)
Intelligence;
(ix)
Army Education Corps;
(x)
Judge Advocate General.
NAVY:
(i)
JAG;
(ii)
Logistics;
(iii)
Observer;
(iv)
Air Traffic Controller;
(v)
Naval Constructor;
(vi)
Education.
AIR FORCE:
In all branches and Streams except Fighter Stream of flying branch.
The number of women officers in Army, Navy and Air Force (excluding medical streams) are 1214,302 and 1079 respectively. There is no separate fixed sanctioned strength for women officers in the Armed Forces and they are recruited within the overall authorized strength of officers' cadre of respective Service.
Filling up of vacancies of officers (from eligible women and men candidates) is an ongoing process and is done on merit on all India basis.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to AayanurManjunathain Rajya Sabha today.