The Indian Air Force (IAF) will finally accord permanent commissions to 22 women officers, following a recent directive by the High Court in Delhi to ensure gender equality in the force, an official said Wednesday. 'We have started the process of according permanent commission to 22 women officers in accordance with a Delhi High Court order and have decided against challenging it,' IAF spokesperson Tarun Kumar Singha told the media in the national capital. The 22 women officers of the IAF had filed the petition against the force, citing that the central government was discriminating against them. 'All the 22 women officers, who had gone to the court, will be given permanent commission,' the spokesperson said. The IAF's decision to following the court's directions in March this year means that women officers, like their male counterparts, will now have the chance to rise up to the rank of Lieutenant General and retire at the age of 60 along with all benefits. 