The present strength of women officers is 1012 in the Army (excluding Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps and Military Nursing Service). Twelve women officers in the Army are due to retire in 2010 after 14 years of service. As per the present policy, the tenure of both women and men Short Service Commissioned Officers is ten years extendable upto 14 years. Both women and men are inducted in the Short Service Commission in the Army. Women officers serving in the Army are entitled to the same benefits as available to similarly placed men officers. However, women SSC officers are not eligible for being considered for grant of Permanent Commission in all Branches. Permanent Commission to SSC (Women) officers have been granted prospectively in Judge Advocate General (JAG) Department and Army Education Corps ( AEC ) of Army. Women officers in the Indian Army are not assigned to the combat arms. A study carried out by HQrs Integrated Defence Staff in 2006 on all aspects of employment of women officers in the armed forces, recommended exclusion of women officers from close combat roles.

The number of cases of alleged exploitation/harassment of women officers in the Armed Forces reported during the last three years, service wise is as follows:

Total number of cases Punished awarded Disciplinary proceedings/court of inquiry/general court martial are in progress Complaint found baseless Army 06 03 02 01 Air Force 05 03 02 - Navy 01 01 - -

Some of the important actions taken to check recurrence of sexual harassment cases are as under:

(i) Orders have been issued on definition of sexual harassment and procedure to deal with such complaints.

(ii) Instructions have been issued emphasising ‘Zero Tolerance’ towards sexual harassment cases.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in separate written replies to SmtYashodhara Raje Scindia and Shri Rakesh Sachan in Lok Sabha today.