Women to Get Full Term Service in Indian Navy, Says Court

Women officers made history by leading the military contingent in the Republic Day parade this year, but many of them are still not allowed on board warships.

But that could soon change.The Delhi High Court said today that women can now have full term service in the Indian Navy and enjoy retirement benefits. Allowing women to get permanent commission in the navy, the court said it would "frown upon any endeavor to block progress of women."The navy may have to review its rules banning women on ships. Women officers serve in the administrative, medical and education branches. They are also taken on aircraft as "observers", to monitor censors."Since women aren't allowed on ships, under the existing rules it will be difficult to promote them to the rank of Captain - tenure in the sea is a must for that. We will have a relook at these rules," a senior naval officer told NDTV.