In a major boost to women serving in the Defence services, the Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to allow grant of permanent commission to them like their male counterparts.<br/>Delivering a judgment on a batch of petitions filed by serving and retired lady officers; a bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul decided the matter in their favour and asked the government to provide all consequential benefits to them. The High Court had on December 14 reserved its verdict on the petitions for a direction to the Centre.<br/>Currently, women are inducted in the Army as officers under the Short Service Commission for a maximum period of 14 years whereas their male counterparts are eligible to receive permanent commission after five years.