National Defence Academy was never meant for women for up to three decades since it was inaugurated 66 years ago. After all the speculation of women’s ‘ability to do or not to do certain things, not since independence but from early ages, here we are celebrating women entry into the nation’s high esteemed defence academy. The government and the Indian Army’s Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that it is a policy choice not to let women sit the NDA exam. The Supreme Court labelled gender discrimination. “It is a policy choice based on gender discrimination. We order the Centre and the Army to adopt a constructive perspective of the case…,” stated the Bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hrishikesh Roy, expressing dissatisfaction with the “regressive mentality.”
Now females will be sitting for the NDA examination which is going to be held on 5 September. Kush Kalra filed a writ case requesting authorization for women to take the NDA entrance exam. The appeal addressed the issue of a breach of Articles 14, 15, 16, and 19 of the Indian Constitution by denying qualified female candidates the right to join the NDA. The government allows unmarried male candidates with appropriate 10+2 qualifications to take the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examinations, but able to qualify and willing female candidates are not permitted to give this investigation on the sole basis of their gender and without any rational or legitimate explanations, according to the petitioner. Women who were eligible and wishful enough to participate in the examination were solely deprived of their rights based on their gender. This very act or policy defies the very fundamental values of the constitution.
In the early years, a new squad will undoubtedly be necessary. After they have settled into the school, the option of mixed units with women assigned to separate wings with bathrooms might be investigated. That is how they will foster squadron spirit,” stated another former NDA commander. It is also debatable whether a fresh different training, curriculum schedule and methods than males should be necessary according to the biological factors or there should not be any changes as it will again create some sort of discrimination among both the candidates. Many of the officials stood up against the Supreme Court’s decision. They questioned the involvement of women candidates in parliament, judiciary, and other official sectors as defence is a matter of national security and it should not be compromised or experimented with. In addition to Kalra’s plea, the Supreme Court is hearing a case submitted by Kailas Udhavrao More, who wants girls to be admitted to the century-old Rashtriya Indian Military College in Dehradun beginning this academic year. The ministry of defence runs this college only for males.
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