The Supreme Court today ruled that women Short Service Commission (SSC) officers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force who were denied Permanent Commission (PC) due to arbitrary evaluation processes will now be entitled to full pension benefits. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and N. Kotiswar Singh, held that these officers would be treated as having completed the required 20 years of service for pension eligibility, even if they were released earlier.

The decision came while hearing multiple petitions, including one filed by Wing Commander Sucheta Edan, challenging the denial of Permanent Commission following policy changes in 2019 and earlier rulings by the Armed Forces Tribunal. The court highlighted serious shortcomings in the assessment process, noting that Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) of women officers were often reviewed in a casual manner and influenced by a preconceived notion that they would not be granted Permanent Commission.

Under the Short Service Commission scheme, officers are initially appointed for 10 years, with a possible extension up to 14 years. Those not granted Permanent Commission must leave service at the end of their tenure, typically without full pension benefits and with limited opportunities for career advancement or senior command roles.