he Supreme Court of India recently granted a permanent commission (PC) to a woman Army Lieutenant Colonel who had been denied the same benefits extended to other similarly situated officers. The officer, commissioned as a Short Service Commission (SSC) officer in 2008 in the Army Dental Corps, was unfairly excluded from a one-time age relaxation offered to her peers under a 2013 policy amendment.
While others benefited from a ruling by the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), she was denied the opportunity as she had not joined the original case due to personal challenges. The Supreme Court rejected the argument that only those who litigated should benefit, emphasizing fairness and non-discrimination. It directed that the officer be granted PC from the same date as her peers, with all associated benefits such as seniority, promotions, and arrears
