The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the Indian Army's 2009 "command and exit policy" allowing preferential promotion for officers serving in the command unit. While delivering the verdict, the apex court also asked the government to create 141 additional vacancies for promotion of combat unit officers.
The decision was taken keeping in view that the personnel of combat unit serve for a short span to maintain a young profile of the fighting arms. The decision comes nearly a year after the Armed Forces Tribunal struck down the policy, calling it ‘discriminatory’ and violative of Article 14 of the Indian constitution which enforces equality The policy was first approved by the Defence Ministry in 2009.
But the "command and exit policy" was not put into effect since its legality was challenged, accusing the policymakers of showing unjust favorability to the combat unit.
The Supreme Court has, however, instructed the Defence Ministry to adopt fairness in promotion in other ways, including promotion for those category of defence personnel who are not entitled to periodical revision in work stature and pay.
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