Central Government approves women to appear in NDA Exam
As per the decision, the centre told Supreme Court that now women will be allowed to join NDA.
On Wednesday, the Central government told the Supreme Court that women will be admitted into the National Defence Academy (NDA) for permanent commission into India's armed forces. While hearing a petition or allowing women to take NDA and Naval Academy exams, the Supreme Court said, "We are extremely glad to know that the armed forces themselves took the decision to induct women into the NDA. We know that reforms cannot happen in a day... The government will place timelines of the process and the course of action."
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said, "We will submit a detailed affidavit. The exam which was scheduled to be held on June 24 was postponed till November this year. Please provide status quo in this exam, as it requires process and structural changes."
A bench of Justice SK Kaul and Justice MM Sundresh said, "The armed forces play an important role... but need to do more for gender equality in the forces. We want them to take a proactive approach themselves in ensuring gender equality rather than waiting for courts to intervene."
Last month, the Supreme Court had allowed eligible women to appear in the NDA exam which was to be held on September 5. Along with this, the court had also directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to issue and give a suitable notification under this order. It was said in the petition that women are not included in the NDA on the basis of gender only, which is a violation of the fundamental rights of equality. The petition has sought a direction to the concerned authorities to allow eligible women candidates to appear in the 'National Defense Academy' and 'Naval Academy Examination' and undergo training in the NDA.
