Wing Commander Pooja Thakur has sued the Indian Air Force for denying her permanent commission, reported NDTV. She has moved the Armed Forces Tribunal, calling the IAF's decision "biased, discriminatory, arbitrary and unreasonable". The court has asked the air force to file its response within four weeks.

The officer had led the Guard of Honour during United States President Barack Obama's visit in 2015 – the first woman to do so. The officer from Rajasthan joined the IAF in 2000. The force recruits women for short commissions and awards permanent commission to candidates only on a case-to-case basis.