Induction of women cadets in NDA major policy decision, Centre tells SC
The Hindu
Govt. says it needs at least three months for deliberating implications
The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that induction of women cadets in the National Defence Academy (NDA) had been a major policy decision and it needed at least three months for deliberating implications in the long term for induction and deployment of ex-NDA women cadets in the armed forces.
It said that in respect of the number of women to be inducted for "NDA-II 2021" and "NDA-I 2022," it was submitted that each course at the NDA had 370 vacancies for the three Services of which 208 would get commissioned in the Army, 120 in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and 42 would get commissioned in the Navy.
The Centre’s affidavit was filed in pursuant to the top court’s direction on a plea filed by advocate Kush Kalra about the data of the women who had appeared for the NDA-2021 examination and the number of women inducted.
The Union government said, “It is submitted that a total of 5,75,854 candidates applied for the exam and 3,57,197 candidates took the examination. A total of 8009 candidates, including 1002 women candidates passed the NDA written examination held during November 2021. The Service Selection Board is scheduled with effect from March-April 2022”.
Justifying the number of women cadets for all three forces, the Centre said that in respect of the Army, the ratio was to ensure that there was a younger profile and mobility of officer cadre, borne out of its operational role and tasks in difficult areas.
“The total vacancies planned for the Army through the NDA are 416 every year that is 208 per course. These vacancies are planned for all arms and services of the Army. Officers commissioned through the NDA have a major component of combat arms and Women officers (WO) are not being inducted in combat arms”, the affidavit said. The Centre said the average intake in the last four years of women officers in the eight arms and services had been up to 15% of the total cadre strength.
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