In a path-breaking move, the government on Friday decided to grant permanent commission to future batches of women officers in the armed forces, but restricted it to non-combat arms of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

President Pratibha Patil accorded sanction to the Defence Ministry's proposal, which was agreed to by the three services, hitherto an exclusive domain of men.

With this order, women joining the armed forces in future under the existing five-year Short Service Commission (SSC) will have the option of working as career officers in branches such as the Education Corps and the Judge Advocate General of the three services.