SC Halts Release of IAF Officer Involved in Operation Sindoor, Seeks Clarity on Women’s Permanent Commission

New Delhi, May 23 – The Supreme Court has stayed the release of Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Niketa Pandey, a woman officer who played a key role in Operation Sindoor, highlighting the need for a clear policy on granting permanent commission to Short Service Commission (SSC) officers in the armed forces.

Pandey, commissioned in 2011 through the SSC route, received a service extension until June 19, 2025. She moved the court seeking to delay her release from service until a special selection board considers her eligibility for permanent commission, especially in light of her contribution to strategic missions such as Operation Sindoor and Balakot.

A bench headed by Justice Surya Kant, with Justice N Kotiswar Singh, expressed concern over the ongoing uncertainty faced by SSC officers. “A sense of uncertainty is not ideal for the armed forces,” the bench remarked. “There should be a consistent policy that aligns the number of SSC officers inducted with the number who can be absorbed as permanent commission officers, subject to merit.”

This marks the first time an IAF SSC officer has secured a stay on release. A similar order was passed by the court earlier in May for over 50 SSC women officers from the Indian Army.

Policy Concerns and Gender Parity

Pandey’s counsel, senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, argued that the current system unfairly limits women to SSC entry, unlike their male counterparts who can opt for either SSC or permanent commission at the outset.

The application emphasized that despite women serving in the IAF since 1992, structural biases persist. “Limitations imposed decades ago no longer reflect current capabilities and conditions,” Pandey stated, adding that denying permanent commission on gender grounds goes against the spirit of equality upheld by the Constitution and prior court rulings.

IAF’s Stand and Court’s Response

Appearing for the Centre and the IAF, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati noted that Pandey had been considered by two selection boards and was not found suitable for permanent commission. The IAF, she added, requires a continuous intake of young officers and had adopted gender parity for permanent commission even before the Army was ordered to do so in 2020.

However, the court questioned why a policy could not ensure that every batch of SSC officers has a clear path to permanent commission if they meet the required standards. The judges noted that the current merit-based competition often results in discontent and ambiguity.

Pending Final Board Consideration

Pandey, trained as a Fighter Controller, has one final opportunity to appear before a Board of Officers. Her plea warns that this final evaluation could be rushed due to limited time left in her service tenure.

The Supreme Court’s interim relief has reignited discussions around equitable service conditions for women in the military, signaling potential policy reform in the future.