IAF’s Niketa Pandey, a key figure in Operation Sindoor, wins Supreme Court backing to stay in service. She fights for gender-equal chances at permanent commission in the armed forces.
The Supreme Court of India has recently put a hold on the release of Indian Air Force (IAF) officer Wing Commander Niketa Pandey, who joined the Air Force through the Short Service Commission (SSC) in 2011.
This stay order means she will continue to serve until further notice.
The top court made this decision while hearing her petition, where she requested to remain in service until a special selection board decides on her application for a permanent commission.
Niketa Pandey has served the Indian Air Force for more than 13 and a half years. She plays an important role as a fighter controller and has actively participated in major military operations such as Operation Sindoor and Operation Balakot.
Her contribution and service have been recognised within the forces, and she has already gone through multiple evaluations for a permanent commission.
Now, she is awaiting a final chance to be considered by the third selection board.
Pandey had been granted an extension of service until June 19, 2025, after completing her initial 10-year term under the SSC.
However, there was uncertainty over her future in the IAF, which led her to approach the Supreme Court.
In a major step forward, the court granted her a stay on her release, making her the first woman SSC officer in the IAF to receive such relief.
Earlier on May 9, the Supreme Court had given similar relief to over 50 women SSC officers in the Indian Army.
During the hearing, Wing Commander Pandey was represented by senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy and advocate Astha Sharma. In her arguments, Pandey pointed out that she was chosen for Operation Sindoor because of her strong strategic abilities and vast experience.
She also highlighted the gender imbalance in opportunities available for women in the armed forces.
In her official application, she wrote,
“Despite women officers been inducted in the Indian Air Force since 1992 which is more than 30 years now, still the only available option provided to them at the inception for induction is via the SSC whereas their male counterparts have an option to be commissioned as both SSC and Permanent Commission.”
She further added,
“Considering that the times have changed and evolved with better infrastructure, equipment, and dedicated female officers, the limitations imposed more than three decades ago, do not fit the denial of permanent commission to officers based solely on their gender, if otherwise eligible to take on the roles and responsibilities that come with donning the uniform.”
A bench of the Supreme Court led by Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh heard her plea and raised important concerns regarding the career uncertainty faced by women SSC officers in the armed forces.
They observed that this kind of uncertainty could affect the morale and functioning of the armed forces.
The court stated,
“A sense of uncertainty may not be good for armed forces. Because there is no assured chance of permanent commission for women SSC officers, it gives rise to inter-se competition among these officers after completion of 10 years.”
The court also suggested that the Central Government should come up with a better and updated policy that balances the intake of SSC officers and the availability of permanent commission slots.
The judges explained that this would help reduce unfair competition and emotional distress among officers.
The bench observed,
“Say, if you take 100 SSC officers, you consider them for permanent commission. It is a different thing that all may not qualify. But we feel this inter-se merit and competition causes a lot of heartburn.”
This case has once again brought attention to the long-standing issue of equal treatment for women officers in the Indian armed forces.
It also adds to the growing voice that demands changes in outdated policies that may no longer suit the current times and needs of the military.
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