‘Women officers have poor interpersonal skills, complain too much’: Lt General Rajeev Puri, calls for a performance review
In a letter to Eastern Army Command chief Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari, sent last month, Lt Gen Puri emphasized the need for gender neutrality in postings and selection processes, specifically for COs. His letter, which was also addressed to senior officials at Army Headquarters, outlines a series of problems that women officers in leadership roles have faced in the past year, as highlighted by an in-house review within his corps.
Concerns Over Leadership and Command Style
Lt Gen Puri’s review focused on eight women COs serving in his corps, noting various leadership shortcomings. “Women COs have been exhibiting poor ‘interpersonal relations’, with an ‘exaggerated tendency to complain’ to senior commanders about their subordinates rather than exercising their own authority and powers first,” he said. He also pointed to a “lack of empathy” among some women COs for officers and troops in their units. The general added, “Any professional disagreement or minor argument is viewed as insubordination… The lack of empathy may be attributable to a need to overcompensate.”
These observations were part of a broader critique, with Lt Gen Puri highlighting that some women COs took a “my way or highway” approach, centralising decision-making without proper consultation with their teams. This led to concerns about an authoritarian leadership style that undermines collaboration within units.
Cases of Misplaced Entitlement and Over-Ambition
In his letter, Lt Gen Puri described incidents of women COs displaying a “misplaced sense of entitlement,” citing one example where a woman CO insisted that a subedar major (SM) open her vehicle door whenever she arrived, despite orders to the contrary. “Occasionally, when the SM would get delayed in doing so, the CO would continue sitting in her vehicle and not disembark,” Lt Gen Puri noted.
In addition, Lt Gen Puri flagged instances of “over-ambition,” which he said led to “unreasonable performance demands” placed on officers and troops. This, in turn, caused high stress levels within their units. He also mentioned how some women COs were prone to “uncontrolled urges” to make derogatory statements about junior officers in an attempt to claim credit for work done by others. This behaviour, he said, created a toxic atmosphere in some units, where the focus shifted from team success to individual recognition.
Lack of Proper Training and Exposure to Command Roles
A major issue identified by Lt Gen Puri was the insufficient training provided to women officers before being assigned to commanding positions. Unlike their male counterparts, who undergo rigorous training and attend courses such as junior command, staff college, and other leadership development programmes, many women COs have not had similar opportunities. “Hardly any woman officer has tenanted high-pressure command/staff assignment prior to her role as the CO,” Lt Gen Puri wrote.He pointed out that this lack of preparation was evident in their approach to leadership and their inability to handle high-pressure situations effectively. Lt Gen Puri argued that women officers’ lack of exposure to operational tasks, combined with preferential treatment, contributed to a “lack of understanding of hardships” faced by the troops, and a resultant “lack of compassion” for them.
A Need for Gender-Neutral Policies
As the Army strives to address gender bias within its ranks, Lt Gen Puri stressed that a shift from “gender equality” to “gender neutrality” is necessary for progress. “Gender equality primarily translates to providing equal opportunity for all genders, gender neutrality lays emphasis on equality in dealing and progression irrespective of gender,” he said, suggesting that gender-neutral policies should be prioritised in officer postings and selection profiles.
The general also advocated for changes in how performance is assessed for women officers. He recommended that a “pragmatic performance analysis” be conducted regularly to assess their effectiveness and provide the necessary corrective actions to address gaps in leadership. He suggested that this approach could help improve the overall quality of command in the Army, making it more inclusive and effective.
The Army’s Shift Towards Gender Integration
The opening of command roles to women in the Indian Army has been a significant step towards gender parity. This move became possible after the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2020, which directed the Army to allow women officers to hold permanent commissions and command positions. In February 2023, a special selection board promoted 108 women officers to the rank of select-grade colonel, offering them the opportunity to lead in various operational areas. This historic development followed the granting of permanent commissions to women in the force, ending the previous ban on women in combat roles and combat-related services.
While the Army has made great strides in integrating women into its leadership ranks, challenges remain. Women officers are now flying fighter jets, serving on warships, and heading units in critical locations along India’s borders with China. However, despite these advancements, positions in the infantry, armoured corps, and mechanised infantry remain off-limits for women, highlighting the ongoing limitations in gender integration.
Women Officers Respond to Criticism
The general’s letter has drawn mixed reactions within the Army. One woman officer, who wished to remain anonymous, called the letter “bitterly disappointing and smacking of blatant sexism.” She argued that while there may have been issues with a few individuals, the generalisation of these problems to the entire cadre of women officers was unfair. “We look at senior officers as our mentors who are there to help us navigate challenges. But this letter has raised doubts about the performance and conduct of the entire women officer cadre,” she added.
Lt Gen Puri’s letter urges the Army to make “course corrections” to improve the quality of leadership among women COs. He called for increased attention to training, a more structured approach to performance reviews, and the implementation of gender-neutral policies in postings and promotions. The general believes that these steps will help ensure that women officers are equipped to handle the responsibilities of command, while also fostering a more inclusive and efficient leadership environment within the Army.
