The Indian Army has been a torchbearer of change this past year. Time and again, the world’s fifth most powerful military has given us a glimpse of what a progressive and inclusive military system can look like. A few months ago, we shared that for the first time the Indian Army had deployed women soldiers along the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir and that too on regular national security duty.

© Twitter/IndianDefence10

Now if that was good news, think about as many as 300 women soldiers getting selected for Permanent Commision in the Indian Army. That’s something unheard of previously and the news comes as welcome winds of change which not only acknowledges female strength and resilience but also takes a step towards women empowerment and equality.

According to TOI reports, as many as half of the women soldiers who were being considered for permanent commission in the Indian Army have made the cut to bag a spot in the 13-lakh strong force.

© Twitter/Defense_Squad_ - shuaib masoodi

Disclosing the results of the 'Special No 5 Selection Board' which was set up to sort out short-service commission (SSC) women officers, a senior official stated that almost 300 of 615 candidates had been selected for Permanent Commission.

Although this step comes in keeping with the Supreme Court’s February directive ordering Armed Forces to take appropriate measures and curb gender bias within the force, women officers will still not be allowed to join in combat roles. Perhaps that’s the next glass-ceiling future generation women will break.

People on social media have also been celebrating the good news.

https://t.co/T0QCPi1fZI
Steps like these taken over a long period of time can and will bring desired changes in representation and power equation. It is such small but sturdy measures which brings changes in the long haul. #Respect #IndianArmy #RepresentationMatters #India

— Swat_Eye (@dhornofunicorn) November 20, 2020

300 women officers have made the grade for permanent commission in the Indian Army. Great step towards women empowerment and congratulations to these officers for breaking the glass ceiling.

— Maj Gen Ajay Seth, VSM (Retd.) (@gen_vsm) November 20, 2020

Coincidence!
Today is birthday of Rani Laxmi Bai also #JhansiKiRani !
Kudos Top Court for granting Permanent commission and @rajnathsingh @adgpi for completing Permanent commission board and paving way for women offrs . https://t.co/udyQ1qxZI4

— ravinder bhandari (@payyaboy) November 19, 2020

#womenPower #womenempowerment#IndianArmy

Almost half of the women officers considered for permanent commission (PC) in the Army have made the grade in the first-ever special selection board held for them in the 13-lakh strong force.#JaiHind #VandeMatram #IndiaFirst

— #DextrousNinja (@DextrousNinja) November 20, 2020 

Now that’s the new India we’re all looking forward to.

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