JOIN USWomen now allowed to join NDA, Centre tells Supreme Court
The Union government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that a "historic" decision has been taken to allow the induction of women into the armed forces through the National Defence Academy (NDA) for permanent commission.
A bench presided over by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said that it was extremely glad to know that armed forces themselves took the decision to induct female cadets in NDA and Indian Naval Academy (INA), though the court has been periodically nudging the authorities to do so as they were the best suited for it.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, submitted before the bench that the Centre took the decision on Tuesday after consultation with three service chiefs that the women would be granted permanent commission through the NDA and INA.
"There's a good news. The decision has been taken at the highest level of forces," she said, adding it would be pathbreaking and generational reform.
The bench said the court would like the defence forces to take a "more pro-active approach towards gender equality" instead of the court directing them to do so.
"It is not a happy situation for us. Armed forces are respected forces of this country but on gender equality, they have to do more," the bench said.
The officer sought two weeks to put on record an affidavit. She also sought status quo on this year's examinations conducted by the UPSC as it would require procedural and infrastructural changes. The exam, scheduled to be held on September 5 has been postponed to November 14.
The court asked Bhati to put the statement on record as to what the government is doing now and what it is planning to do in future and posted the matter for consideration on September 22.
"Reforms cannot happen in one day, we are conscious of that. We want progress to be made. We must have some timelines. You may go at a comfortable pace but redressal must take place. We do hope armed forces value the important role women are performing," the bench said.
The court was hearing a plea by advocate Kush Kalra to allow women to take part in the NDA exams for permanent commission.
Earlier, in an interim order on August 18, the top court allowed women to take the NDA exam while slamming the Indian Army for the decisions that are based on "gender discrimination".
The petitioner claimed denial of opportunity to women candidates to enrol at the NDA was violative of Articles 14, 15, 16 and 19 of the Constitution.
He has relied upon the apex court's judgement directing extension of permanent commission to women officers inducted through the Short Service Commission.
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