Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi announced on Monday that a court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the leak of an internal communication by a senior officer regarding the performance of eight women officers. The communication, reportedly addressing issues affecting units commanded by women in the eastern sector, has sparked discussions within the force.

General Dwivedi emphasised that the appointments of women as commanding officers (COs) were made under exceptions granted following a Supreme Court order. He reaffirmed the army’s commitment to inclusivity, noting that women officers have been performing exceptionally well and described them as “mature, considerate and kind.”

This development underscores the army’s effort to maintain operational integrity and address concerns while supporting the growing role of women in leadership positions.

General Dwivedi's remarks came in response to queries regarding a letter sent by Lieutenant General Rajeev Puri, then the 17 Corps commander, to Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari last October. The five-page communication, described as unprecedented, addressed various issues reportedly associated with women commanding officers (COs).

The letter, based on an “in-house review” conducted by the Panagarh-based mountain strike corps, highlighted concerns ranging from officer management to a perceived sense of entitlement, a lack of empathy, an exaggerated tendency to raise complaints, and issues of both over-ambition and under-ambition.

The detailed correspondence sheds light on challenges and perceptions related to leadership dynamics in units led by women officers, prompting the army to take a closer look at the matter through a formal inquiry.

“General Puri’s letter shouldn’t have got leaked and a court of inquiry has been ordered into it. It’s his perception, he is within his rights to give that perception and comment. It’s an internal communication,” the army chief said at his annual media briefing ahead of Army Day on January 15.

The Indian Army shattered the glass ceiling in 2023, following a landmark Supreme Court order, by assigning women officers to command roles beyond the medical stream for the first time. Since then, numerous women officers have taken up leadership positions, including in operational areas and forward locations under the Northern and Eastern Commands, which oversee India’s borders with China.

General Dwivedi reflected on the circumstances under which women were first appointed as commanding officers (COs), acknowledging the transformative nature of these assignments. This significant step underscores the army’s commitment to gender inclusivity and expanding leadership opportunities for women officers in critical operational roles.

“This was based on the Supreme Court order, and the complete process was accelerated. When we appoint COs, we give them exposure in various fields. We make them undergo various courses. For these women COs, the Junior Command course was not done, and a short course was done. The contact and bonding with troops was less,” the army chief said.\

“A lot of exceptions were made (in appointing them COs). When you have these situations, you may have a surprise.”

To be sure, the number of women commanding officers in the army is steadily increasing.

“Overall if you see, we have 115 women COs, and 18 more are approved and ready to take on the role. You will find the maximum women COs in the Northern Command where I have had firsthand experience of dealing with them. You will always find all kinds of officers, but wherever I have seen... women officers have been very mature, very considerate and very kind,” Dwivedi said.

General Dwivedi highlighted the accomplishments of Colonel Ponung Doming, a woman commanding officer whose exemplary service is likely to earn her a prestigious award. Colonel Doming’s unit has been instrumental in constructing a high-altitude road in Ladakh’s Demchok sector, enhancing connectivity to Fukche, one of the military’s farthest outposts, located just three kilometres from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

In addition to this critical infrastructure project, her unit has led efforts to upgrade the Nyoma advanced landing ground near the LAC in eastern Ladakh, transforming it into a full-fledged base capable of supporting fighter operations. Her contributions underscore the pivotal role women officers are playing in advancing the army’s strategic objectives in challenging operational environments.

“When I was in the Northern Command, she was always there at the forefront...What I am saying is you will find all kinds of examples,” he said.

The path to women assuming command roles in the Indian Army was paved by granting permanent commissions to women officers in 2020, following a Supreme Court directive. This significant policy shift allowed women to progress beyond short-service commissions, marking a turning point in their military careers.

In February 2023, the army conducted a special selection board, promoting 108 women officers to the rank of select-grade colonel. This move, aimed at fostering gender parity, provided women officers with command assignments in select branches, enabling them to take on leadership roles and establish hard-earned new identities within the force. This initiative highlights the army’s commitment to inclusivity and the professional growth of women officers.

“Today I just wish to assure you that women officers are doing exceedingly well and if I have to give you some yardstick, there are currently 16 officers who are attending the Defence Services Staff College, they are serving as pilots in the aviation branch and also serving in the artillery.

“As far as the Indian Army is concerned, we want strong women officers... There must be a gender-neutral approach...The physical test parameters should nearly be the same but keeping in view the physical conditions there may be some exceptions...Around 1,700 girls are presently attending Sainik Schools, Military Schools and Rashtriya Indian Military College. They will be coming to the Indian Army, the tri-services. It is something which is to happen, and it will happen in the most mature and welcoming way,” Dwivedi added.

In his letter dated October 1, 2024, General Puri wrote: “During the last one year, there has been an increase in the number of officer management issues in units commanded by women officers. These are indicative of serious concerns regarding interpersonal relations. Most cases pertain to a lack of tact and understanding of the personal requirements of unit personnel, especially officers. The emphasis is more on conflict termination through might, rather than conflict resolution through mutual respect. A prejudice and mistrust was evident in few of the cases in the recent past.”

He added, “It results in high levels of stress in the units...This approach also leads to an overexploitation of troops and unit resources to remain in the show window... An uncontrollable urge to make derogatory statements regarding junior officers to usurp credit rather than attributing it to subordinates and encouraging them is routine. While overambition is detrimental to the organisation, on the other end of the spectrum, few COs have taken ‘low profile, low initiative’ to command.”