Ensure women get permanent commission in Indian Coast Guard or we will: SC to Centre

The Supreme Court on Monday made it clear that if the Centre does not grant permanent commission to eligible women officers in Indian Coast Guard, then the court will do it. Speaking for the bench, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud verbally told Attorney General R Venkataramani "women cannot be left out". He added that "all these functionality etc, arguments do not hold water in the year 2024. Women cannot be left out. If you do not do it, we will do it. So take a look at that".

The development took place during the resumed hearing of a plea by Priyanka Tyagi, a woman officer in the Coast Guard, who is seeking permanent commission to eligible women short-service commission officers of the force. The AG told the bench that there were some functional and operational difficulties in granting permanent commissions. He added that a board has been set up by the Coast Guard to look into the issues. In response, the bench verbally observed that women must be on the board.

The case will come up for resumed hearing on March 1.


At the previous hearing, the top court had told the Centre that the maritime force must come up with a policy which treats women fairly.