New Delhi: In the Army, Navy and Air Force women are recruited in the officer cadre only. The number of women officers in the Indian Army (excluding Medical, Dental & Nursing Branch),the Indian Air Force (excluding Medical and Dental Branch) and the Indian Navy recruited during the last three years, Service-wise, is as under:-
| Year | Army | Navy | Air Force |
| 2014 | 104 | 57 | 155 |
| 2015 | 72 | 35 | 223 |
| 2016 | 69 | 43 | 108 |
In 2011, the Government approved consideration of women Short Service Commission Officers (SSCOs) for grant of permanent commission along with men SSCOs in specific branches in the three services viz. Judge Advocate General (JAG), and Army Education Corps (AEC) of the Army and their corresponding branches in Navy and Air Force, Naval Constructor in Navy and Accounts Branch in Air Force.
In March 2016, approval has been accorded for induction of women Short Service Commission (SSC) officers as Pilots in Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) stream and in the Naval Armament Inspectorate (NAI) cadre.
In the Indian Air Force since 1993, women officers have been inducted in all branches and stream as Short Service Commissioned Officers except in the fighter stream. However, IAF has revised Short Service Commission scheme to induct women into the fighter stream on experimental basis for five years. The first batch of three women officers was commissioned in the fighter stream in June 18, 2016.
In addition, steps like increasing tenure of women officers and improving promotional prospects in Army have been taken to increase participation of women in the Army.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Tiruchi Siva in Rajya Sabha today.
