The experimental government scheme for the induction of women fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force (IAF) would be converted into a permanent scheme. The Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, took to Twitter to make this announcement.
“It is a testimony to the capability of India’s ‘Nari Shakti’ and our PM Shri @narendramodi’s commitment towards women empowerment,” Singh tweeted. Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi, Flying Officer Bhawana Kanth and Flying Officer Mohana Singh became the first women fighter pilots in June 2016.
Recently, in his National Cadets Corps (NCC) parade speech, PM Narendra Modi had emphasised the role of women in the armed forces. In a milestone move, women were finally allowed to appear for the National Defence Academy (NDA) exams and today, one in three candidates are women.
“Post Hon’ble Supreme Court order dated 17th February 2020, Women Officers are being granted Permanent Commission in 10 Arms/Services of Indian Army subject to their meeting the Qualitative Requirement (QR) along with the Short Service Commissioned Men Officers. Women Officers are also being inducted in Army Aviation Corps as Pilots from June 2021 onwards,” the government had told Lok Sabha in December.
According to the Defence Ministry, the female representation in the Army, Navy and IAF is 0.59 per cent, six per cent and 1.08 per cent respectively.
Image courtesy: @IAF_MCC / Twitter