The Indian Navy has started granting permanent commission to women officers, reported Hindustan Times. Women naval officers were earlier allowed to serve a maximum tenure of 14 years, which meant that they were ineligible to receive pension that comes with at least 20 years of service, the report said. The Indian Army and Air Force already have permanent commissions for women.

“Recognising the importance of providing equal opportunities to women officers, seven women officers from the Short Service Commission batch of the education branch and naval constructor cadre who joined in 2008-09, have been granted permanent commission,” the Navy said in its statement.

The Navy is also considering allowing women officers to serve on warships, it said in a statement on the eve of a three-day naval commanders’ conference in New Delhi. From next year, women officers can also join the Navy as pilots of maritime reconnaissance aircraft, and in the Naval Armament Inspectorate cadre, reported The Indian Express.

Last year, the Defence Ministry had approved the induction of women into the fighter combat stream of the Indian Air Force. There are 1,436 women serving in the Army, 1,331 in the Air Force and 532 in the Navy, according to The Times of India.