The Delhi High Court has temporarily halted the discharge of a group of Women Short Service Commission (SSC) officers from the Indian Air Force (IAF), providing them with interim relief as they legally contest the denial of Permanent Commission (PC). During a hearing, the High Court mandated that the officers remain in service until their petitions are reviewed by the designated roster bench, which is set to address the case on July 1, 2026.
The officers are disputing the IAF’s decision to deny them Permanent Commission. They argue that their discharge orders were enacted despite an earlier interim protection order issued by the Supreme Court. In Monday’s proceedings, the officers’ counsel contended that the Air Force acted prematurely by issuing the discharge orders while both the Delhi High Court and the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) were in recess. The release orders, dated June 3, were said to have been finalized before the AFT could address their applications.
Questioning the timing of these actions, the High Court learned that the petitioners initially sought relief through the Armed Forces Tribunal per Supreme Court directives. However, as the tribunal could not hear the matter prior to the issuance of the discharge orders, they turned to the High Court for assistance.
The petitioners emphasized that the Supreme Court had previously shielded them from discharge while permitting the pursuit of legal remedies in either the AFT or the High Court. Their plea noted that the apex court’s ruling maintained interim protection against discharge as long as legal proceedings were pending.
Additionally, the officers argued that they are distinctly categorized from those whose applications for Permanent Commission were rejected in 2021. One petitioner highlighted that her commission in 2013 led to her application for Permanent Commission being evaluated only in 2023, ultimately resulting in rejection.
The legal action also questions specific provisions of the Indian Air Force’s Human Resource Policy from 2019 that governs the allocation of Permanent Commission to women SSC officers. The forthcoming session of the Delhi High Court on July 1 is expected to address both the denial of Permanent Commission and the legality surrounding the officers’ discharge from military service.
