Grant women officers permanent commission in Indian Coast Guard, SC cautioned Centre stating “If you do not do it, we will do it”

In a recent legal development in a petition by Priyanka Tyagi (Short Service Appointment officer) who had been denied the opportunity to be considered for the Permanent Commission in the Indian Coast Guard, the Supreme Court (SC) of India said, “Women cannot be left out”. A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra heard the matter. On February 26, 2024, the SC bench heard the matter and was not persuaded by the Central Government’s argument that the functionality of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Indian Coast Guard is different. Considering this, the CJI said, “All these functionality, etc. arguments do not hold water in the year 2024. Women cannot be left out. If you do not do it, we will do it. So take a look at that”. He further cautioned the Centre to ensure that women officers get permanent commission. The bench fixed March 01 (Friday) as the next date of the hearing. Earlier on February 19, 2024, the SC asked the Central Government to come up with a gender-neutral policy.