August 18, 2021 will go down the memory lane in the minds of all the Indians in a very positive way. It’s the day supreme court finally allowed women to sit in the National Defense Academy (NDA) exam to be held on 14 November 2021. For a really long time, a dream of probably millions of women in our country has been finally fulfilled to some extent. All of this happened due to an order given by honourable Supreme Court, which has allowed women to appear for the NDA examinations this year onwards. Gender equality has been a topic of discussion in our country for quite some time and it is a step in right direction.
The Verdict for NDA Women Entry
While hearing the petition filed by lawyer Kush Kalra, a Bench of Judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hrishikesh Roy gave the order that the women should be given equal opportunity in NDA also. Their statement was recorded as follows “We consider it appropriate to issue interim direction permitting the women candidates to take part in the examination scheduled for September 5, 2021, subject to further orders from this court. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has chosen not to appear despite service. UPSC is directed to take out the necessary corrigendum in view of the interim orders we have passed today and give it wide publicity so that the intent of the order is translated into benefit at the ground level”. Thus, they also directed UPSC to do the needful so that the news is spread widely among the people of the country especially women who, desire to be a candidate for the prestigious institute.
They added that “As far as Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) is concerned, it is stated that it is a 99-year-old institution, which will complete 100 years next year. The question is whether it completes its 100 years with gender neutrality or not!”. This also depicted their disappointment and disagreement that gender neutrality is not being considered by the Armed Forces and why it is difficult for them to consider co-education.
Gender Equality
In support of the gender equality Justice Kaul also questioned the Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati by stating that “Why are you continuing in this direction? Even after the Supreme Court judgment expanding the horizons and extending Permanent Commission in the Army to women? This is unfounded now! We are finding it absurd! Will the Army only act when a judicial order is passed? Not otherwise?”.
On this questioning Ms. Bhati explained that there is a proper channel through which candidates are recruited in the Army. Naming the three modes of recruitment as – the National Defense Academy (NDA), the Officers Training Academy (OTA) and Indian Military Academy (IMA).
Important Statement weighing NDA Women Entry
She stated that, “NDA and IMA are modes of direct entry through the UPSC. Whereas through OTA, women are commissioned along with men, both through UPSC and non-UPSC mode of entry. They are granted Short Service Commission, both men and women, and subsequently are considered for grant of Permanent Commission.”
For the time being court has listed the case for further proceedings on September 8 in front of senior advocate Chinmoy Pradip Sharma, advocates Mohit Paul and Sunaina Phul, who represented Kush Kalra in the court.
While noting the above case, a senior officer from the Army has assured that the discussion for admitting women candidates in the Armed Forces was surely going on for quite some time. He also added, “The Service Chiefs from Army, Navy and Air Force had planned a visit to the NDA on August 20 to review the training and administrative arrangements for women cadets. Additional infrastructure for women cadets was earlier and should come up in time-bound manner. Gender equality has been an issue which has been actively debated and found positive response in the Services.”
The Takeaway
This case will definitely yield some positive results in terms of gender equality in our country, as it is also hoped by the entire population of our country. Mostly, it can also have some positive effects on other developing countries where gender equality is considered problematic and unnecessary. It is also to be seen that what will be the future in this regard in the defence forces in our country. But the Armed Forces has been accepting women candidates in the roles of medical professional for quite some time now. They are also considered in the roles of Judge Advocate General and Education branches, provided they are in the role of Permanent Commission to Short Service Commission women officers. Recently, they are been given some added benefits in some other branches also.
By: Raunak Jha
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