Why in NEWS
The Supreme Court (SC) of India struck down the Indian Army’s policy limiting the appointment of women officers to the Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch, rejected arguments against women in counter-insurgency and counter-terror forces, and reinforced gender equality across all combat-support arms.
Key Terms / Concepts
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Judge Advocate General (JAG) | Legal arm of the Indian Army, advising on military law, operational, administrative, and disciplinary matters under the Army Act, 1950. |
| Combat-support Role | Military role providing operational support to combat troops, including logistics, intelligence, and legal advisory. |
| Permanent Commission (PC) | Career-long service in the armed forces until retirement age. |
| Short Service Commission (SSC) | Temporary service in the armed forces, generally for 10–14 years. |
| Section 12, Army Act 1950 | Provides eligibility for women to serve in certain branches, including JAG. |
SC’s Directives on Army JAG Recruitment and Women in Operational Roles
| Directive | Details |
|---|---|
| Common Merit List | Struck down policy reserving six of nine JAG vacancies for men; ordered a single merit-based selection list without gender caps. |
| Equal Opportunity | Ruled that excluding women from counter-insurgency and counter-terror duties has no legal basis and violates constitutional equality. |
| Operational Examples | Highlighted officers like Capt. Ojaswita Shree, Maj. Dwipannita Kalita, and Flt Lt. Shivangi Singh for excelling in high-risk duties. |
| Proven Capability | Cited Maj. Gopika Bhatti’s convoy command in militant areas and Col. Anshu Jamwal’s UN missions to question exclusion policies. |
SC Rulings on Women in Defence Forces
| Case | Ruling |
|---|---|
| Babita Puniya (2020) | Ordered PC for women in all arms where SSC is available, including command roles; denial based on gender violates Article 14. |
| Kush Kalra (2021) | Directed NDA to admit women for PC training alongside men. |
Nari Shakti in Defence
| Year/Detail | Data |
|---|---|
| 2014 Women Strength | ~3,000 |
| 2025 Women Strength | 11,000+ |
| First NDA Women Cadets | 17 inducted in 2022 |
| Women NDA Cadets by 2025 | 126 across four batches |
Significance of Women in Defence Forces
| Area | Impact |
|---|---|
| Operational Effectiveness | Diverse skills in intelligence, logistics, and humanitarian missions enhance decision-making and mission success. |
| Peace & Security | Women protect vulnerable populations during conflicts and ensure responsive, inclusive strategies. |
| Social Impact | Senior women officers inspire and mentor juniors; cases like Col. Sofia Qureshi and Wg Cdr. Vyomika Singh showcase leadership in operations. |
| Constitutional Values | Upholds Articles 14, 15, and 16, ensuring equality, representation, and human rights in armed forces. |
In a nutshell
Memory Code: WING –
Women in command
Inclusive merit list
No role restrictions
Gender equality upheld.
Prelims Practice Questions
- Under Section 12 of the Army Act, 1950, women are eligible to serve in which of the following branches?
a) Only combat arms
b) Only medical corps
c) Certain specified branches like JAG
d) No branches at all - The Babita Puniya case (2020) is significant because it
a) Allowed women into NDA for the first time
b) Mandated PC for women in all arms with SSC availability
c) Opened combat arms for women in all services
d) Introduced gender-based recruitment quotas - The term “Permanent Commission” in the armed forces refers to
a) A one-year contractual service
b) A career-long service until retirement
c) A deputation to civilian government service
d) A rotational post in defence administration
Mains Practice Questions
- Critically analyse the impact of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on women in the Indian Army’s JAG branch in the context of operational equality and constitutional rights. 15 Marks
- “Operational capability should be the only criterion for deployment, not gender.” Discuss in the context of women in combat-support roles in India’s armed forces. 10 Marks
Prelims Answers & Explanations
| Qn | Ans | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | c | Section 12 allows women in certain branches like JAG under specified conditions. |
| 2 | b | Babita Puniya case mandated PC for women in all arms where SSC exists. |
| 3 | b | PC means career-long service until the retirement age, unlike SSC. |
