NDA Entrance Examinations: Notification Allowing Release Of NDA Women By May, Defense Ministry Told SC
“The government, in accordance with its commitment, hereby takes note of its clear and categorical position that candidates will be considered for entry into the three defense services, in the existing channels, through the NDA” the ministry said in a filed affidavit. before the higher court.
NDA entrance exams take place twice a year and the government proposes to put in place the necessary mechanisms by May 2022, when UPSC is required to issue the first notification next year, for the review, he said.
A study group has been formed by the Defense services, made up of experts to quickly formulate the curriculum for women cadets at the NDA, he said, adding that a board of officers had been summoned to make a holistic and futuristic proposal to train them.
In order to sit for the exam, applicants must meet eligibility criteria which include physical standards such as height and weight, he said.
While medical standards for male cadets are in place, they are being formulated for women, he said, adding that they need to be finalized before they join the Academy.
The General Directorate of Medical Services of the Armed Forces and the body of experts will take care of this for the three defense services, the ministry said.
Various aspects such as young age, the nature of the training to be followed by the female candidates as well as the functional / operational requirements of the Army, Navy and Air Force should be taken into account. , did he declare.
“There are no parallel standards for NDA entry age applicants. In addition to providing education, training includes physical training, military training, games and sports and related activities to make cadets into competent officers and capable soldiers, the curriculum is well defined, all other aspects of training must be formulated separately for applicants, ”the affidavit states.
The ministry said the program and parameters such as outdoor training – exercise, horseback riding, swimming, games, sports – need to be formulated.
“Any dilution of physical training and service matters such as shooting settings, endurance training, field gear and land-life aspects, for female cadets / service officers defense, would invariably have a negative impact on the combat value of the armed forces.
“That with regard to the infrastructure requirement, it is respectfully submitted that on the basis of the contributions and experience of other pre-commissioning training academies in regards to the training of female cadets , one of the key aspects of housing female cadets must be a solid physical separation between male and female residential areas, ”he said.
He stated that it will need to be considered that given the current status of infrastructure in the NDA, assuming that the UPSC notification process for the inclusion of women cadets in the NDA should start in earlier next year and this also in the first half of the year, various preparatory actions are needed.
The ministry said all NDA cadets are housed in cabins that are housed in squadron buildings.
The number of cubicles for female cadets, responding to an increase in the number of female cadets each quarter, will need to be expanded in subsequent terms until the permanent plan bears fruit, he said.
The existing sanitation cubicles / bathroom for female cadets will not meet the requirements and will have to be rebuilt / modified to maintain privacy, he added.
“Regarding training capacity and other arrangements, various aspects are in place, inter alia, security and confidentiality arrangements, physical segregation of living quarters and physical surveillance measures and associated electronics, namely care attendants, women service agents and women instructors etc …
“In addition, additional administrative and miscellaneous requirements in terms of gender-specific equipment, ancillary requirements, etc., will also have to be developed and executed simultaneously. be posted / augmented at Khadakwasla military hospital, ”the affidavit states.
The capacity of the officers’ family room (medical facility) is also expected to be increased for which additional projects will need to be planned and executed, the ministry said.
The Center had previously told the highest court that the armed forces had decided to include women in the NDA.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Center, said a decision had been made at the highest level of the armed forces as well as the government that women would be inducted into a standing committee through the NDA.
The Supreme Court heard a plea filed by lawyer Kush Kalra who raised the issue of excluding eligible and consenting female candidates from membership in the prestigious NDA solely on the basis of gender, which would be a violation of fundamental rights. to equality.
The plea says authorities allow single male applicants to take the NDA and Naval Academy exams, but applicants are not permitted on the sole basis of their gender and without any reasonable or justifiable explanation under the Constitution.
This discrimination is a disgrace to the constitutional values of equality and non-discrimination, he said.
The UPSC runs the NDA and Naval Academy exam and any single male candidate with the required credentials between the ages of 15 and 18 can be included. After qualifying and training is completed, the candidate is made a permanent officer at the age of 19 to 22, he said.
This opportunity to take the NDA and Naval Academy exam at the age of 15-18, with eligible academic qualifications, is not available to female applicants and the sole reason for this categorical exclusion is based on their gender, according to the plea.
He claimed that the duration of training for female officers of the Short Service Commission is much less than that of a male standing commission officer, who obtains entry through the NDA.
