<p>The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the Union government's response on a PIL against denial of opportunity to eligible and willing female candidates to join the National Defence Academy and give them a chance to emerge as future leaders of the Indian Armed force.</p>.<p>A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian issued notice to the Union government's Ministry of Defence, National Defence Academy and the UPSC on the petition by advocate Kush Kalra.</p>.<p>The petitioner cited February 17, 2020 judgement by the Supreme Court in 'Secretary, Ministry of Defence vs Babita Puniya and Others' , where the court laid down certain directions with respect to the issue of extension of permanent commission to the women officers of the Indian Army. The judgment also pointed out that limiting the role of women officers in the Army was not based on reason, but on sex stereotyping.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/sc-dismisses-pil-against-use-of-jai-shree-ram-slogan-during-west-bengal-polls-959937.html">SC dismisses PIL against use of 'Jai Shree Ram' slogan during West Bengal polls</a></strong></p>.<p>"The categorical exclusion of eligible female candidates from entering the National Defence Academy is not constitutionally justifiable and is simply done on the basis of their sex," the plea contended.</p>.<p>It is also violation of constitutional values of equality and non-discrimination, the fundamental right to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment and practice any profession, it added.</p>.<p>The NDA, located at Khadakwasla, Puna, imparts training to cadets for services to Indian Army, Air Force and Navy to those who clear the examination conducted by the UPSC.</p>.<p>While admitting the PIL for consideration, the court also allowed an impleadment application by Saharanpur-based Sunita who contended she was left distraught after she learned that she cannot have opportunity to train at National Defence Academy as females are not admitted there on sole ground of sex.</p>
<p>The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the Union government's response on a PIL against denial of opportunity to eligible and willing female candidates to join the National Defence Academy and give them a chance to emerge as future leaders of the Indian Armed force.</p>.<p>A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian issued notice to the Union government's Ministry of Defence, National Defence Academy and the UPSC on the petition by advocate Kush Kalra.</p>.<p>The petitioner cited February 17, 2020 judgement by the Supreme Court in 'Secretary, Ministry of Defence vs Babita Puniya and Others' , where the court laid down certain directions with respect to the issue of extension of permanent commission to the women officers of the Indian Army. The judgment also pointed out that limiting the role of women officers in the Army was not based on reason, but on sex stereotyping.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/sc-dismisses-pil-against-use-of-jai-shree-ram-slogan-during-west-bengal-polls-959937.html">SC dismisses PIL against use of 'Jai Shree Ram' slogan during West Bengal polls</a></strong></p>.<p>"The categorical exclusion of eligible female candidates from entering the National Defence Academy is not constitutionally justifiable and is simply done on the basis of their sex," the plea contended.</p>.<p>It is also violation of constitutional values of equality and non-discrimination, the fundamental right to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment and practice any profession, it added.</p>.<p>The NDA, located at Khadakwasla, Puna, imparts training to cadets for services to Indian Army, Air Force and Navy to those who clear the examination conducted by the UPSC.</p>.<p>While admitting the PIL for consideration, the court also allowed an impleadment application by Saharanpur-based Sunita who contended she was left distraught after she learned that she cannot have opportunity to train at National Defence Academy as females are not admitted there on sole ground of sex.</p>
