Around 40 more women Army officers will soon be eligible for the rank of colonel (selection grade) over the next two to three years, allowing them to command units in their respective arms and services. The Special No. 3 Selection Board at Army headquarters is currently considering 20 officers from the Army Service Corps and 17 officers from the Army Ordnance Corps from the 2006 batch for promotion to the rank of Colonel from Lieutenant Colonel. These proceedings aim to bring women officers on par with their male counterparts. The special selection board is currently reviewing both fresh and review cases and has been in session from March 27 to March 31. Approximately 150 vacancies have been opened for women officers up to the 2009 batch. Following a Supreme Court order in February 2020, women Army officers are now eligible for promotion across all streams of the Army, except pure combat arms. This has led to several women officers undergoing special training courses and military assignments, preparing them for higher leadership roles. A special selection board is being held periodically for women officers due to their previous ineligibility for senior leadership roles in the Army without permanent commission. Exceptions were made for medical officers in the defence forces, as well as in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch and the Army Education Corps, where women officers were granted permanent commission in 2008. Many women officers have not undergone mandatory leadership courses during their careers, as they were not previously eligible for permanent commission. This has resulted in a discrepancy in their consideration for promotion alongside their male counterparts. As a result, a separate selection board is being held for women officers to address this issue.
