Path Opens for Women Towards Army Leadership

Path Opens for Women Towards Army Leadership

Why in the News ?

For the first time, 17 women cadets graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA), marking a significant step towards gender inclusion in the armed forces and laying the groundwork for women to potentially rise to top military leadership roles.

Historical Progress Towards Gender Equality:

• Military Nursing Service began in 1888 under British rule.
• Regular commissions for women doctors started in 1958.
• Non-medical roles opened in 1992 under the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES).
• Permanent Commission (PC) was restricted till 2008, later allowed for some non-combat streams in 2019.
• In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that women were eligible for PC and command roles, removing gender bias.
• In 2021, the Court ordered NDA to admit women cadets; the first batch graduated in 2024.

Training and Integration at NDA

• Since 2022, NDA has admitted 126 women cadets.
• Training is gender-neutral, with shared routines, uniforms, and responsibilities.
• Women cadets were first provided separate accommodation, but later integrated into all 18 NDA squadrons.
• Training support draws from Officers Training Academy, Air Force Academy, and Indian Naval Academy.

Future Prospects and Cultural Shifts Needed

• NDA offers women a 35-40 year career path, necessary for becoming service chiefs.
• Command roles in combat arms (e.g., infantry, warships, fighter squadrons) now more accessible.
• Former COAS Gen Naravane and Gen V.K. Singh see potential for a female army chief.
• Experts call for reforms in work-life balance, maternity policies, spousal postings, and promotion criteria.