Grant permanent commission to woman Coast Guard officer: Apex Court to Centre

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday told the Centre that it has to grant permanent commission to Priya Tyagi, a Short Service Appointment officer engaged with the Indian Coast Guard, saying it "cannot allow officers like her to be humiliated like this."

A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said if the government does not grant permanent commission to Tyagi on its own, the court will be forced to step in and issue necessary directions.

"If she is absorbed by them (Centre) themselves, it is fine, otherwise we will pass an order. But we cannot allow officers such as her to be humiliated like this," the SC said.


In one of its leading judgements in 2020, SC had held that women Short Service Commission officers in the Army and Navy are entitled to permanent commission on a par with their male counterparts. The bench had held that the Centre's stance was based on gender stereotypes and societal notions regarding gender roles, suggesting that men are physically stronger while women are weak and submissive. However, the Centre has been opposing Tyagi's permanent commission on the ground that the Coast Guard operates in a different domain compared to the Army, Navy and Air Force.

In April 2024, the court had passed an interim order allowing Tyagi to continue in service as a general duty officer. During the hearing on Wednesday, attorney general R Venkataramani said that the history and peculiarities of the Coast Guard have to be considered. "The new 2026 decision can apply to her if she is eligible. We will find out if she can be accommodated," he argued.

SC asked the government to consider Tyagi's case based on the new policy and grant permanent commission to her. The bench made it clear that if the Centre refuses to consider her case, the court will pass an order.