The Indian government defended the Indian Air Force (IAF) against allegations of discrimination in granting permanent commissions to women officers, stating that 243 men and 177 women have been inducted since 2019 under the Human Resource Policy of 2019. The Centre clarified that some women officers were denied permanent commission due to not meeting minimum performance criteria, a decision that aligns with the need to maintain a young and competitive force. The Supreme Court reserved its judgment on the matter, indicating it will consider the policies in question, while emphasizing the significance of women officers’ contributions to national security. This case underscores ongoing discussions about gender equity within the armed forces and the systemic challenges female officers face in advancing their military careers.