SSB to induct Women as Combat Officers

The Union Home Ministry on 13 April 2014 for the first time approved the recruitment of young women as combat officers in Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). SSB is the second largest border guarding force.

Young women under and up to the age of 25 years will be recruited as direct entry officers in the rank of assistant commandants (ACs). The women officers will have an opportunity to serve in far-flung border of Indian Territory like Nepal and Bhutan.

Till now, women could only don the combat uniform in the officer cadre in three other central security forces, the Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force and the Border Security Force.

However, In the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Force, women will still not be inducted as officers deployed along the China border.

In 2007, the SSB was the first to recruit women in junior ranks of constables but since then, the contingents were being commanded by male officers and hence a desire was felt to have women officers in the paramilitary force.

About SSB

Sashastra Seema Bal or SSB is one of India's Central Armed Police Forces. It is often referred to as a paramilitary force. It is currently under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India. It was formerly known as the Special Service Bureau.

The highest-level headquarter of the force is the Force Headquarters (FHQ), also called the Directorate General of SSB, located in New Delhi. Force Headquarter (FHQ) is commanded by an officer of the rank of Director General (D-G). Current D-G of SSB is Arun Chaudhary.