The Supreme Court bench Today (12 Feb 2024), led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, stated that the officer should be considered for a Permanent Commission given her impeccable record during 14 years of service.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has issued a notice to the Indian Coast Guard and the Ministry of Defence. This notice comes in response to a plea by Priyanka Tyagi, a short-service commission officer in the Indian Coast Guard, who has been denied the opportunity for a Permanent Commission despite her commendable 14-year service record. Scheduled for a hearing on February 19, this case has the potential to set a precedent for the treatment of women officers in the military.
Priyanka Tyagi’s plea, represented by Senior Advocate Archana Pathak Dave, highlights her distinguished career, including her role as captain of the first-ever all-women crew on the Dornier Aircraft for maritime patrolling near the International Maritime Boundary Line at ICGAS Chennai. Tyagi, who was selected as a General Duty (GD) Officer after just two years of service, has amassed over 4500 flying hours on the Dornier Aircraft, demonstrating exceptional bravery and skill in saving more than 300 lives at sea.
The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, emphasized that Tyagi’s record merits consideration for a Permanent Commission. The court’s notice questions the rationale behind denying Tyagi and potentially other women officers the opportunity for permanent commissioning, especially given their proven dedication and contribution to the service.
Tyagi’s legal challenge sheds light on the broader issue of gender discrimination within the armed forces, particularly concerning the career progression of women officers. Her plea reveals that the board responsible for deciding on permanent commissions for short-service appointment (SSA) women officers was abruptly disbanded. This move, described in the plea as “an arbitrary call,” disregarded the significant sacrifices and contributions of these officers to the organization.
In her plea, the officer stated,
“The Petitioner was part of the first-ever All Women Crew on the Dornier Aircraft deployed in the Eastern Region for undertaking Maritime Patrolling as Captain of the Aircraft near the IMBL at ICGAS Chennai. The Petitioner was selected as GD Officer after just two years of service and was given the opportunity to be an observer/Navigator, for which the Petitioner underwent special aviation medical and had cleared on merit. The Petitioner was selected accordingly and completed 13 months of flying training to qualify as a navigator. As of the present date, the Petitioner has the highest flying hours, with 4500 hours on the Dornier Aircraft, displaying heroism in saving more than 300 lives at sea.”
The cancellation of the Permanent Commission policy for SSA officers during the pendency of Tyagi’s writ petition raises questions about the Indian Coast Guard’s commitment to gender equality and the fair treatment of its personnel. Tyagi’s case argues that granting her a permanent commission would not only recognize her individual contributions but also significantly benefit the organization by setting a positive example for the inclusion and advancement of women in the military.
“The sudden cancellation of the policy for Permanent Commission to the SSA during the pendency of the Writ Petition was nothing but an arbitrary call without even considering that the Petitioner gave 14 years of her life to an organisation and offering her a permanent cadre would highly benefit the organisation,”
-the plea also stated.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear this case, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the policies governing the career trajectories of women officers in the Indian Coast Guard and other branches of the armed forces. A ruling in favor of Tyagi could pave the way for more inclusive practices, ensuring that women officers are given equal opportunities for career advancement and recognition for their service.
This landmark case represents a critical juncture in the ongoing struggle for gender equality within the Indian military, highlighting the need for systemic changes to accommodate and honor the contributions of women officers.
As the nation awaits the Supreme Court’s decision, the spotlight is on the potential for progressive reform in military policies, ensuring that merit and service record, rather than gender, determine an officer’s career path.
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