In A First, Navy Decides To Induct Women Cadets From NDA : Centre Tells Supreme Court

On the previous occasion, the Bench had sought the Union Government's response on a plea seeking higher intake of women in NDA, Rashtriya Indian Military College ("RIMC"), Rashtriya Military Schools ("RMS") and Sainik Schools.

The Centre said in an affidavit that the intake of women in NDA will be dependent on the women induction in the armed forces. 

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."

On an average 20-25 women are inducted every six months through INA(Indian Naval Academy)

The Bench recorded from the affidavit that on an average 20-25 women are being inducted through INA every six months for the cadres and branches which are open for their induction. 

Upon passing from NDA cadets who are inducted as Naval cadets get navy specific training for 6-12 months

It was observed that at NDA 19 women cadets are inducted per term, which after three years would be 114 women cadets. The Bench recorded that upon passing from NDA, the cadets who are inducted as Naval cadets record at the Naval Academy for navy specific training for 6-12 months.  

In Indian Air Force, women are inducted in all branches and sub-streams

The Bench was appreciative of the fact that the Indian Armed Forces are inducting women in all branches and the sub-streams as well. At present the Ministry of Defence has proposed to induct 12 PC women officers every year. Accordingly, the Bench recorded.

"The best picture that emerges is from the IAF, as women are inducted in all branches and sub-streams. A study carried out 2011 onwards and specifically in 2021 are being used as the basis to arrive at the proposed IAF vacancies in NDA. With the proposed induction 12 PC women officers will be inducted per year and will result in 60 PC women officers being inducted in the next 5 years."

1002 women had passed the NDA written examination conducted in November, 2021

The Bench noted that in the NDA written examination that was held in November, 2021, out of 3,57,197 candidates who took the examination, 8009 candidates including 1002 women candidates passed. The Bench record -

"5,75,854 candidates applied for the examination. 3,57,197 candidates took the examination, 8009 candidates including 1002 women candidates passed the NDA written test held in Nov, 2021 and the Service Selection Board is scheduled with effect from March to April, 2022."

For induction of women in NDA-II 2021 and NDA-I 2022, each course has 370 vacancies in total

The affidavit had clarified that with respect to induction for NDA-II 2021 and NDA-I 2022, each course would have 370 vacancies in total.

"On the aspect of induction of women for NDA-II 2021, NDA- I 2022, each course has 370 vacancies for the three services. 208 cadets get commissioned in the Indian Army, 120 in the Indian Air Force and 42 in the Indian Navy."

In Indian Army ratio of 'Regular Cadre' to 'support cadre' is 1:1.1

It was briefly recorded by the Bench that office cadre in Indian Army for regular cadre to support cadre was in the ratio 1:1.1.

"In so far as the Indian Army is concerned, as per Ajai Vikram Singh Committee recommendation the officer cadre is guided by 'regular cadre' to 'support cadre' ratio of 1:1.1 The nitty gritty need not be referred to by us."

Women not inducted in Combat Arms in Indian Army, but in eight arms and services

The affidavit had clarified that the present intake of 57% vacancies in Combat Arms, leaving the 48% vacancies in eight arms and services where women officers are being inducted. The Indian Army has also decided to take in 10 women cadets per NDA courses i.e. 10% of the earmarked vacancies. The Bench recorded -

"The total vacancies for Indian Army through NDA is 416 every year i.e. 208 per course. In a major component is the Combat Arms with women officers not being inducted in the combat arms. On the basis of this ratio, 10 women candidates per NDA course are to be taken in, amounting to 11% of the earmarked vacancies."

With induction of 10 women per NDA course, women cadre would witness a growth of 5%

The affidavit stated that the intake in the past 4 years across eighth arms and services have been 15% which would now increase another 5% with the intake of 10 women candidates. The Bench recorded -

"The average intake in the last 4 years of women officers across the board has been upto 15 % of the total cadre strength and with the present allotment of 10 women candidates per course in NDA, i.e. 20 per year, the women cadre in these arms will witness a growth of 5% from existing 15%-20%."

Women in Indian Defence Force constitute 13.6% of the officers cadre

It was highlighted that women in Indian armed forces constitute 13.6% of the cadre whereas the highest in the world is in the United States with 17% women representation. The Bench recorded -

"A comparative chart is sought to be given of western armies and regional countries keeping in mind that presently in the Indian Defence Forces women officers…constitute 13.6% of the officers' cadre…"

Infrastructure is being developed to attract female officers from other countries to come to India for training purposes

The Bench noted that the infrastructural changes are being brought about to attract women officers in the NDA from foreign friendly countries for training purposes. It recorded -

"Training ethos of NDA being kept in mind, infrastructure is being developed and it is expected that training of women candidates in NDA would attract foreign friendly countries to send their female officers for training.

The case will be next considered on July 19, 2022.

[Case Title: Kush Kalra v. Union of India And Ors. WP(C) 1416/2020]