Today is definitely a historic day for gender equality and inclusion, with merit and aptitude winning over stereotypes. The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that the armed forces have decided to induct women into the National Defence Academy (NDA). The decision has been taken at the highest level of the armed forces.
“There’s some good news. A decision has been taken at the highest level of forces and government that girls will be inducted for permanent commission through the National Defence Academy. The decision was taken late evening yesterday,” Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the central government, informed the bench, according to Live Law.
In the armed forces, men recruited through the NDA exam are granted permanent commission. Women candidates, however, are recruited as Short Service Commission officers before being considered for a permanent commission at a later stage of their career.
Earlier the Supreme Court of India expressed its concerns over the representation of women in India’s armed forces, and hoped that the inclusion of women will be a decision of positive change rather than a forced directive by the judiciary.