Women cadets allowed into NDA, Centre tells Supreme Court

The Central Government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that it had decided to allow the induction of women into armed forces through the National Defence Academy (NDA).

A Bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said it was extremely glad to know that armed forces themselves took decisions to induct women into the NDA. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, while appearing for the Central Government, told the Bench that the decision was taken on September 7 after consultation with three service chiefs. Also read | Farmers’ stir: Haryana extends ban on mobile Internet, SMS services in Karnal "There is a piece of good news. A decision has been taken at the highest level of forces and the government that women will be inducted for permanent commission through the  National Defence Academy. The decision was taken late September 7 evening," ASG Bhati submitted. The Bench said it would like the defence forces to take a "more pro-active approach towards gender equality" instead of the court directing them to do so. "We have been periodically nudging the authorities to do it themselves. We do believe they are best suited to evolve rules. It's not a happy situation for us. Armed forces are respected forces of this country, but on gender equality, they have to do more," said Justice Kaul. Also read | Air India’s Amritsar-Rome direct flight resumes from September 8 The apex court asked ASG Bhati to put the statement on record through an affidavit and adjourned the matter for two weeks and posted the matter for hearing on September 22. "We are extremely glad to know as the ASG submits that armed forces have taken a decision to induct females into the NDA and other issues are being examined. They would like to place developments and future plans before us for which time is sought," it said. The court was hearing the plea seeking to allow women to take part in the NDA exams. Earlier, the top court had in an interim order allowed women to take the NDA exam which was scheduled for September 5, and had also slammed the Indian Army for the decisions that are based on 'gender discrimination'. On Wednesday, the ASG said the women would be admitted to the NDA and apprised the Bench that the exam was postponed to November 24, 2021. Bhati urged the apex court that the status quo be maintained with respect to the NDA admissions for the current academic year. -PTC News