One-time measure deems 20 years of service for those denied Permanent Commission
The Supreme Court of India has ruled that women Short Service Commission (SSC) officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force, who were released after 14 years of service, will now be eligible for pension benefits under a one-time relief measure.
As per existing rules, personnel must complete 20 years of service to qualify for pension. The court invoked its extraordinary powers to deem eligible officers as having completed the required tenure, particularly those who were considered but denied Permanent Commission.
The judgment also allows serving officers to be considered for Permanent Commission, subject to performance, medical fitness and vigilance clearances. The court found shortcomings in the 2019 policy, noting that revised performance criteria were applied without giving officers adequate time to adapt.
The ruling applies to those assessed between 2019 and 2021, with pension benefits effective from November 2025, though without arrears.
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