A total number of 355 women officers have been granted permanent commission in Indian Air Force till date. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said this in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today. He said eligible women officers who are being inducted into the Ground Duty branches are considered for grant of permanent commission at par with their male counterparts based on a gender neutral policy with uniform Qualitative Requirements. The Defence Minister said the criteria for allotting permanent commission in the IAF are based on a gender neutral policy. <br/><br/>The eligible officers for grant of permanent commission are considered by a Board of Officers constituted at Air Headquarters based on their suitability, willingness, medical category, availability of vacancies and position in merit.