New Delhi: The Defense Ministry said that for the first time, women officers serving with the Corps of Signals, Corps of Electronic and Mechanical Engineers and Corps of Engineers have been approved for the rank of Colonel.
A selection board of the Indian Army has cleared the way for five women officers to be promoted to the rank of colonel (time scale) after completing 26 years of countable service.
The five women officers selected for the Colonel Time Scale rank are Lt Col Sangeeta Sardana from the Corps of Signals, Lt Col Sonia Anand and Lt Col Navneet Duggal from the EME Corps, and Lt Col Reenu Khanna and Lt Col Richa Sagar from the Corps of Engineers. .
The expansion of promotion avenues in more branches of the Indian Army is an indication of the growing career opportunities for women officers. Along with the decision to grant permanent commission to women officers from most branches of the Indian Army, the move defines the Indian Army’s approach towards a gender-neutral army.
Earlier, promotion to the rank of colonel was applicable only to women officers in Army Medical Corps (AMC), Judge Advocate General (JAG) and Army Education Corps (AEC).
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