India, Sept. 18 -- New Delhi

Eliminating "anachronistically artificial chromosomal distinction" between men and women is a vital constitutional objective, the Delhi high court has held, while directing the central government to consider appointing five women candidates as Short-Service Commissioned Officers (Non-Tech) in the Indian Army, against unfilled vacancies originally reserved for men.

A bench of justices C Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla delivered the verdict on Tuesday, while dealing with the plea filed by five women, seeking directions to the Centre for their appointment to the unfilled posts, reserved for men.

The women candidates had appeared for the Combined Defence Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Ser...