Why in NEWS

For the first time in Indian military history, 17 women cadets graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA), marking a historic step toward gender-inclusive military leadership and opening the path for future women service chiefs.

Key Concepts and Terms

Term	Description
NDA	National Defence Academy – India’s premier tri-services military training institution.
SSC	Short Service Commission – A temporary tenure in the armed forces, typically up to 14 years.
PC	Permanent Commission – Career-long military service until retirement.
Data Principal	Individual to whom the data belongs – here figuratively used in context of military inclusion debates.

Women in Armed Forces: A Historical Timeline

Year/Phase	Milestone
1888	Women entered military via Military Nursing Service.
1958	Regular commissions in Army Medical Corps for women doctors.
1992	Non-medical entry via Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES).
2005	SSC system introduced, allowing 14-year tenure.
2008	Permanent Commission in JAG and AEC branches.
2015	IAF inducted women in experimental combat roles.
2020	SC mandates PC in all eligible arms – Babita Puniya case.
2022	NDA opens to women, Navy opens all branches.

Current Status

• Women comprise ~4% of Indian Army; ~16% in US.
• 1,700+ women officers serve in various branches.
• Women now fly fighter jets, serve on Navy ships, and command military police units.
• Women Agniveers inducted under Agnipath scheme.

Key Challenges for Women in Uniform

Challenge	Details
Physical Demands	Combat training needs parity without compromising effectiveness.
Societal Bias	Cultural resistance, especially in command roles.
Combat Restrictions	Exclusion from infantry, armored corps, special forces.
Work-Life Balance	Family, childcare, and mental health pressures.
Infrastructure Gaps	Limited toilets, privacy, hygiene, creche, and counseling support.

How to Balance Gender Equity and Operational Efficiency

Strategy	Description
Role-Specific Standards	Physical benchmarks tailored to roles, not gender.
Cultural Sensitization	Training programs to reduce unconscious bias.
Mentorship and Role Models	Highlight achievements of pioneers like Avani Chaturvedi, Shiva Chouhan.
Global Best Practices	Learn from IDF (Israel), US Armed Forces integration models.
Peacekeeping Deployment	UN missions to empower women and provide global exposure.
Curriculum Integration	NEP 2020-based gender equality themes in schools.

In a Nutshell

CODE: NARI SHAKTI
National pride in inclusive forces
Achieving equality through law and leadership
Representing India in combat and command
Infrastructure and mindset reform for future readiness

Prelims Questions

1. Which Supreme Court case mandated permanent commission for women in the Indian Army?
   a) Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan
   b) Joseph Shine v. Union of India
   c) Babita Puniya v. Union of India
   d) Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India
2. Under which scheme were women inducted as Short Service Commission officers in 1992?
   a) Women’s Combat Entry Scheme
   b) Women Special Entry Scheme
   c) Army Women Commission Scheme
   d) National Women Defence Scheme
3. Which of the following branches opened all roles for women officers in 2022?
   a) Indian Army
   b) Indian Coast Guard
   c) Indian Navy
   d) Indo-Tibetan Border Police

Mains Questions

1. (GS II – Polity and Governance)
   “Judicial activism has been central to gender inclusion in the Indian Armed Forces.” Critically evaluate in the light of recent Supreme Court judgments.
2. (GS I – Society)
   Discuss the societal and operational challenges faced by women in the armed forces. What measures can enhance gender parity without compromising combat readiness?

Prelims Answers and Explanations

Qn	Answer	Explanation
1	c	The Babita Puniya case led to the SC’s directive on Permanent Commission for women.
2	b	WSES was launched in 1992 to induct women into non-combat roles.
3	c	The Navy became the first service to open all branches to women, including submarines and aviation.