Defence Minister: Women Shall Be Able To Join National Defence Academy From Next Year

Women To Join NDA: Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh while addressing the Shanghai Cooperation international webinar on Thursday said that women will be able to join the National Defence Academy from next year. Singh was addressing the webinar on the role of women in the Armed Forces.

He said, "I am happy to share with you that from next year, women shall be able to join our premier tri-service pre-commissioning training institute, the National Defence Academy."

The Defence Minister added that the induction process of women in the Military Police had started last year marking a major milestone when women joined in the rank and file of the Army.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) hosted the video conference mode of the international webinar in two sessions. The first one was about the 'Historical Perspective of Women's Role in Combat Operations.'  The session was chaired by Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Medical) Lt General Madhuri Kanitkar. Speakers from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and China also participated in the session.

The said conference was originally planned for a physical event with the presence of the representatives of the member nations in 2020 but the due to COVID-19 pandemic it was held in a virtual mode on October 14, 2021.

The Indian government recognised women as essential members of the Indian Defence forces. The Centre claimed that in the last seven years, it has taken several steps to give more opportunities to women in Indian Defence forces and create equality in service conditions for both men and women.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court on Friday asked an explanation from the Indian Army on why 72 women Short Service Commission Officers were denied Permanent Commission. Justice DY Chandrachud and BV Nagarathna heard a set of petitions filed by women officers who alleged that even after the apex court ruling of March 25 which made women eligible for Permanent Commission, they were not considered for it.