Overview
On 29 July 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that women officers of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) will now be eligible for Permanent Commission and will receive pension and retirement benefits on par with their male counterparts. The move aligns the Coast Guard with reforms already implemented in the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Key Developments
- Women officers serving under the Short Service Appointment (SSA) scheme can now be permanently absorbed into the General Duty (GD) cadre, allowing a full career.
- All branches of the ICG are opened to women, including operational, logistics, law and education roles, with equal pension rights.
Important Facts
The reforms come after a Supreme Court in 2024 questioned the Ministry of Defence for denying permanent commissions to women officers, despite similar changes in the three armed services following earlier court orders. The Army, Navy and Air Force have already granted permanent commissions, opened combat and sea‑going roles, and allowed women entry through the NDA. The Navy also extended women recruitment under the