Defence Minister Announces Induction of Women Fighter Pilots Through Permanent Scheme

The Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh has announced through his social media account that the experimental scheme for the induction of women fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force is now converted into a permanent scheme.

Singh credited the achievement to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and commitment towards women empowerment and furthering India's position on Nari Shakti/women power.

Women Fighter Pilots To Be Inducted In Indian Air Force Through Permanent Scheme

In 2018, the Prime Minister addressed the nation about women's potential and said-"woman power is playing a pioneering role and establishing milestones and there are no upper limits for Nari Shakti."

During a recent address at the NCC parade, the Prime Minister emphasised the role of women in the armed forces. The National Defence Academy (NDA) examination to induct women into the armed forces had been held for the very first time in November 2021 and the results of the written examination have also been announced.

The examination has been held after the Ministry of Defence allowed for women's induction in the post earlier reserved only for men. This also saw the application of around one lakh 78 thousand women for the examination. The first batch of women cadets will be welcomed in 2023.

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As per the data provided by the Ministry of Defence, women's representation in the Indian Army and Indian Air Force is 0.59 % and 1.08% respectively. The highest representation is by the Indian Navy which stands at around 6%. Flight Lieutenant Avani Chaturvedi, Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth, and Flight Lieutenant Mohana Singh were the first three women to be commissioned as fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force in 2016.

Among them, Bhawana Kanth became the first woman fighter pilot who represented Indian Air Force in the Republic Day Tableau in 2021. Kanth flew her first solo in 2018 on MiG-21 Bison and has been posted in Rajasthan. Avani Chaturvedi from Rewa of Madhya Pradesh also took a solo flight on MiG-21 Bison in 2018 and is posted in Rajasthan. While Mohana Singh from Jhunjhunu of Rajasthan became the first women fighter pilot to become fully operational by day on a Hawk Mk.132 in 2019.