Army chief defends performance of women officers amid concerns raised by senior commander

Ahead of Army Day, Chief of Army Staff Gen. Upendra Dwivedi praised the performance of women officers in the Indian Army, emphasising their remarkable success and the ongoing efforts to increase their induction.

His comments came in response to concerns raised by Lt Gen Rajeev Puri, a senior commander, regarding challenges faced by units led by women officers in the eastern sector.

In an internal letter that was recently leaked, Lt Gen Puri outlined several issues within units commanded by women officers, including a lack of tact, empathy, and a tendency to complain. He also pointed to problems in understanding the personal requirements of personnel. The Army chief, however, said that the leaked letter was an internal communication and emphasised that it reflected the perception of one individual.

Gen. Dwivedi assured the press that women officers were excelling in their roles, citing their presence in key positions such as Staff College and the aviation branch, where they are serving as pilots. He reiterated that the Army had followed the Supreme Court’s 2023 order to appoint women officers to command roles, which had led to their increasing involvement in commanding units, including those in forward areas.

Addressing the broader perspective, Gen. Dwivedi expressed the Army's goal of significantly increasing the number of women officers, with plans to boost their induction by twelve times by 2032. He highlighted the importance of adopting a gender-neutral approach while continuing to support and enhance the contributions of women in the Army, calling for strong, resilient women officers who embody the strength and determination of the force.