Girls Will Be Admitted In Rashtriya Military Schools From 2022-23 Academic Year : Centre Tells Supreme Court
The Central Government on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that girls will be admitted in Rashtriya Military Schools(RMS) with effect from 2022-2023 academic year.With respect to admission to RMS, which operates as all boys schools and acts as the institution providing education to the wards of the Indian soldier, the Bench observed that the affidavit had provided assurance to induct women...
The Central Government on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that girls will be admitted in Rashtriya Military Schools(RMS) with effect from 2022-2023 academic year.
With respect to admission to RMS, which operates as all boys schools and acts as the institution providing education to the wards of the Indian soldier, the Bench observed that the affidavit had provided assurance to induct women with effect from the academic year 2022-2023.
A bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice MM Sundresh noted in the order :
"Rashtriya Military Schools (RMS) are English medium residential public schools. 5 of them spread across the country are all boys schools and act as feeder institutions for NDA providing quality education and training to the wards of Indian soldiers. 30% of the available seats are earmarked for wards of civilians and defence officers…The affidavit records assurance that induction of women would be effected from academic year 2022-2023".
The bench was considering a petition seeking admission of women in National Defence Academy, Sainik Schools, RMS, RIMC etc.
On the previous occasion, the Bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M.M. Sudresh had sought the Union Government's response on a plea seeking higher intake of women in NDA, Rashtriya Indian Military College ("RIMC") etc.
Reading the relevant portions from the affidavit as pointed out by the Additional Solicitor General, Ms. Aishwarya Bhati, the Bench noted that for admission to RIMC five additional vacancies have now been created for induction of women.
"The affidavit in compliance with order dated 22.09.2021, from 06.10.2021, stated that the RIMC needs to be done through All India Competitive Examination…and states and unions have been allotted one seat each except State of Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu which had been allotted two seats each and State of U.P. allotted three seats…We however directed that the course of action followed for NDA be also applied for RIMC in permitting women candidates to appear in terms of order dated 7.10.2021. That order has been compiled with and the ASG submits that 5 additional vacancies have been created for induction of women candidates…The interim application stands disposed of."
The Bench stated that the Honourable Prime Minister had assured from the ramparts of the Red Fort on 15.08.2021, that the Sainik Schools, which were initially all boys schools, will witness regular induction of girls. As the data regarding the intake of students etc. were not available with Ms. Bhati, the Bench asked her to submit the same once she takes instructions.
"The Sainik School experiment began with only induction of boys but subsequently some girls were inducted on an experimental basis. That experiment was found fruitful…and the PM had made an assurance from the ramparts of the Red Fort on 15 Aug last year that there would be regular induction of girls. However, exact data is to be submitted by the learned ASG."
At the outset Ms. Bhati remarked that the matter examining the larger issue of representation of women in the armed forces has come up for hearing on the International Women's Day.
"Your lordships kept the matter for international women's day, milords. Some people say it is symbolism but I think…it is necessary."
The Bench also noted - "Ld. ASG rightly points out that in a prophetic sense matter has come up on women's day."