In a landmark verdict, the Delhi High Court has ordered the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the central government to appoint a woman candidate to one of 20 unfilled vacancies in the IAF’s flying branch, emphasizing that gender distinctions are outdated in the armed forces. The ruling, delivered on August 25, 2025, by Justices C Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla, responded to a woman’s plea challenging the allocation of vacancies in a May 17, 2023, recruitment notification issued by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The UPSC notification advertised 92 vacancies for the IAF flying branch, with two earmarked for women. While the two women-specific vacancies were filled, only 70 of the remaining 90 vacancies were occupied by male candidates, leaving 20 unfilled. The petitioner, seventh in the merit list of women candidates, sought appointment to one of these vacancies.
The court rejected the IAF’s argument that the 90 vacancies were exclusively for men, stating, “The notice does not state that 90 vacancies were reserved for male candidates... Were it so to state, the stipulation might have been vulnerable to challenge on the ground of being gender skewed.” The bench underscored that gender neutrality is paramount, citing Supreme Court precedents and noting that the only requirement—a “Fit to Fly” certificate—was met by the petitioner.
The court directed the IAF to appoint the petitioner immediately, granting her equal service benefits, including seniority, as the 70 male and two female candidates already selected. It further ruled that the remaining vacancies should be filled by eligible women candidates lower in the merit list, reinforcing that unfilled posts must not remain vacant when qualified candidates are available.
The verdict, which described gender distinctions as a “chance chromosomal circumstance,” sets a precedent for inclusive recruitment practices, aligning with modern principles of equality in India’s armed forces.
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