Permanent Commission for Women| Supreme Court allows wing commander part of Operation Sindoor to continue in service

The Supreme Court of India today allowed a woman Wing Commander, set to retire in August 2025, to continue in service. The Indian Air Force officer has approached the court seeking permanent commission (PC).

"Wing Commander Pandey who was a part of Operation Sindoor and Operation Balakot, after 13 years of service, is being forced to retire next month", Senior Advocate Maneka Guruswamy told the court today.

"Let her continue, we are facing such things..", Justice Surya Kant went on to tell ASG Aisharya Bhati who was present before court on behalf of the government.

ASG Bhati opposed the petition before top court saying that the Wing Commander had directly approached the court for permanent commission without filing any representations before the concerned authorities or tribunals. She added that the Wing Commander was found unfit by the Board.

Justice Kant went on to advice ASG Bhati that for future if the government could come up with a policy to increase the capacity to take more women for Permanent Commission.

"Women have gotten much more PC if you see the numbers..", ASG Bhati responded.

The bench also comprising Justice N Kotiswar Singh went on to issue notice in the matter while directing that no equity will be created.