Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the posting of women officers of the Territorial Army (TA) with its engineer regiments along the Line of Control (LoC).
According to reports, he has also cleared the appointment of the women officers as staff officers at TA group headquarters and directorate general of TA at New Delhi according to organisational requirements, the defence ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
It was since 2019 that the Territorial Army commenced commissioning women officers in ecological task force units, TA oil sector units and TA railway engineer regiment.
The Ministry of Defence also said, "Based on the experience gained during this period, it has been decided to extend the scope of further employment for women officers in TA."
How does the Territorial Army operate?
The TA operates based on a citizen-soldiers' army concept where the officers undergo annual training on basic military skills while remaining gainfully employed in civilian life.
"Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the posting of women officers of the Territorial Army with engineer regiments of the TA along the Line of Control and as staff officers at TA group headquarters/ directorate general of Territorial Army at New Delhi, as per organisational requirement," the ministry said.
It said the progressive policy measure is aimed at enhancing the scope of employment of women officers as well as meeting their professional aspirations.
"They will now serve and train under the same conditions as their male counterparts in a wider range of units and appointments," the ministry said.
New opportunities for women in the Indian Army
The Department of Military Affairs has approved amendments to existing cadre management provisions for women officers of the TA.
This is coming after five women were commissioned into the artillery regiment of the Indian Army last month. Reports suggest that the women officers will now be trained to handle howitzers and rocket systems, those who are already fly fighters in Indian Air Force and serve on board ships for the Navy.
(With PTI inputs)
