Women can now join NDA: Centre to Supreme Court
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The Centre, in a historic move, told the Supreme Court that women will be now admitted into the National Defence Academy (NDA) for permanent commission into India's armed forces.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the court today that it is a delight to share that women will be admitted to the NDA.
The government added that it will need some time to frame guidelines before allowing women to take NDA courses. The Supreme Court told the Centre to file a reply by September 20, reported NDTV.
The Supreme Court said that it is extremely glad to know that the armed forces themselves took the decision to induct women into the NDA as "reforms cannot happen in a day". The government will place timelines of the process and the course of action.
A bench of Justice SK Kaul and Justice MM Sundresh said that the armed forces need to do more for gender equality. "We want them to take a proactive approach themselves in ensuring gender equality rather than waiting for courts to intervene". The apex court was hearing a petition for allowing women to take NDA and Naval Academy exams.
After the top court passed a landmark interim order to allow women to sit for the NDA admission exam, it was rescheduled for November 14. The court also expressed hope that the interim order will persuade the army to initiate change on its own.
The court had criticised a "mindset problem" when it came to equal service opportunities for men and women in the country's armed forces in a hearing on August 18. It further warned the government, saying "you better change".