Babita Puniya case
Also called: Secretary, Ministry of Defence v. Babita Puniya · Topic: Safeguards for Vulnerable Sections: SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities, Women and Children · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Babita Puniya case (Secretary, Ministry of Defence v. Babita Puniya) is a Supreme Court judgment of 17 February 2020. It held that women officers in the Army on short service commission can get permanent commission and command posts on the same terms as men. Short service commission means service for a fixed term. Permanent commission means a full career until retirement. The case is a landmark for equal treatment of women at work under Arts. 14, 15 and 16.
Example
Before the ruling, women short service commission officers usually left the Army when their fixed term ended. After it, they became eligible to serve a full career and to command units. Class 11, Equality discusses whether women should serve in combat units, and this case links to that debate.
Related concepts
- Equal Remuneration Act 1976
- Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013
- Internal Committee
- Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017
- Dowry Prohibition Act 1961
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005
- Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act 2021
- Justice Verma Committee (2013)
- Nirbhaya Fund