Review denial of permanent commission to woman Coast Guard officer: SC to Centre

The Supreme Court ordered the Centre to review within two weeks its decision to deny permanent commission to Commandant Priyanka Tyagi, a woman Coast Guard officer, stating that the lack of gender-friendly infrastructure cannot be a justification to "humiliate" a highly qualified officer. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, emphasized that Tyagi is an excellent officer and should not be subjected to such treatment.

Tyagi, who joined the Coast Guard in 2009 as a Short Service Commission (SSC) officer, was permitted to continue serving beyond the 14-year limit in April 2024. However, her Centre-appointed legal representative, Attorney General R Venkataramani, argued that a policy decision last month now permits permanent commission for women officers, which was previously unavailable since 2009.

The court questioned the rationale behind denying women permanent commission, given that men have access to such opportunities. They highlighted Tyagi's extensive service record, extensive flying training, and numerous accolades, including participation in international exercises and the first all-women crew deployment in the Eastern Region for Maritime Patrolling.

The Attorney General defended the Coast Guard's unique nature and limitations, arguing that the court should consider the historical context of the Coast Guard's creation. Tyagi's tenure as an SSC officer ended in December 2023, and she was denied any interim relief by the Delhi High Court, leading her to approach the Supreme Court.