Women officers in the Indian Army have repeatedly exposed systemic sexual harassment, revealing how the institution fails to uphold the protections guaranteed under the POSH Act and allows rank-based impunity.

In 2025, a woman Major in Patiala accused a Lieutenant Colonel of harassment, but instead of a proper Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) investigation, the army initiated an internal inquiry that reportedly sought to intimidate her into withdrawing the complaint.

Similar incidents span the last decade: in 2015, a Captain in the Signal Corps faced harassment from a senior Colonel, and accountability was delayed despite prima facie evidence; between 2021 and 2025, a Major was convicted of abusing an 11-year-old domestic worker, but only after prolonged court intervention.

In Srinagar, 2024, a female Air Force officer reported harassment and assault by a Wing Commander, yet the accused received anticipatory bail, highlighting systemic bias.

A Brigadier in Shillong allegedly harassed a Colonel’s wife, and in Odisha, a Colonel accused senior generals of raping his wife, yet police failed to file an FIR.

Internal inquiries often bypass the POSH Act, and AFSPA provisions further limit civilian oversight, leaving women officers with little recourse. The army hierarchy, combined with misuse of rank, pressures victims to silence themselves while perpetrators evade accountability.

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Despite increased reporting, meaningful reforms are absent, leaving women officers vulnerable to abuse, intimidation, and delayed justice. These verified cases from 2015–2025 underscore that India’s military continues to struggle with transparency, accountability, and the basic protection of the women who serve the nation.