New Delhi, May 1: The top Army brass has identified two branches — Education and Judge Advocate General (JAG) — as possible streams in which women may be considered for permanent commission in the Armed Forces.

The matter came up for discussion during the ongoing Army Commanders Conference in the capital after Defence Minister A K Antony said in Parliament that the Government is actively considering women officers for permanent commission.

While a decision on the matter will only be taken by the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), it is learnt that the top Army brass is of the opinion that the process of granting women permanent commission could start with the JAG and Education departments. However, they have once again ruled out any combat role for women officers.

“A decision will be taken by the COSC but the matter came up for discussion at the meeting. As both education and JAG are branches that exist in all three services, they could be considered,” a senior Army officer said.

Currently, women officers are granted permanent commissions only in the medical, nursing and dental services. They are also inducted for other non-combatant streams but are only granted Short Service Commissions with a maximum tenure of 14 years.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the bi-annual Army Commanders Conference, the minister had said that it is “high time” that women officer be granted their due in the services.

The matter was also raised in the current Parliament session with women legislators questioning Antony on the issue. Referring to his statement in Parliament during the commanders’ conference, Antony had said that he would keep his commitment of reviewing the policy.

At present, over 5,000 women, including officers from the medical, dental and nursing services, serve in the Armed Forces. While women officers have long been demanding permanent commissions and equal status as compared to their male counterparts, three of them have recently taken legal recourse by filing an appeal before the Delhi High Court.