Published on 08 Feb 2025
As per PIB, in India, the number of women serving armed force is only around 10,000 with their presence in army, navy and air force being 3.8%, 6% and 13% respectively of the total number of personnel. Traditionally they were only given short service commission but in 2020 the SC ruled to grant women permanent commission.
Need to promote women in armed force
Enhance operational capability: Expansion of talent pool enables armed forces to make better merit-based selections and tap into wide range of capacities.
Example: Induction of high-tech warfare has made defence more technical and tactical, rather than physical. This demands more women into the force who are tactically well aware.
Diverse perspective and skill set: Women could add a diverse range of skills and experiences which could enhance overall effectiveness of the force.
Example: Women could have better negotiation powers and hence prove to be beneficial during soft power diplomacy.
Equality and empowerment: Inclusion of women promotes gender equality and empower them to pursue careers which were traditionally male dominated.
International norms: Progressive measures for women empowerment fall in line with international best practices and shows India's commitment to gender equality.
Inspiration for women: These inductees can serve as role models for younger generations and thus aid young girls to dream and strive for a better career.
Example: Recently Avani Chaturvedi became the first Indian woman to fly a Sukhoi fighter which could inspire many young women.
Community engagement: Development initiatives and repatriation works can be better served with the presence of both genders in the force.
Example: Involving more women in border forces could aid in having better civilian connections for border management.
Global image: Measures like these would aid India to have a better image in international forums and be a role model for other nations around India.
Example: India has deployed an all-women platoon of peacekeepers as part of a battalion to the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei, Sudan
Challenges Associated
Persisting stereotypes: Armed forces have been a male dominated sphere and are not considered as a domain for women due to social stereotyping.
Example: Stereotype persists in the leadership quality and tactical brain of women.
Physical standards: Even the development of high-tech machines does not nullify the role of physical strength which negatively affects women.
Example: Getting posted in Ladakh involves serving in difficult terrain and cold conditions for hours which is physically demanding.
Work life balance: Military service demands long deployments and demanding schedules which separates them from family.
Harassment: Women face many instances of discrimination and harassment which demotivates them to be in service.
Example: One in every four women in armed force has faced some form of sexual harassment.
Example: For instance, in 2017, India’s Ministry of Defence revealed that a dozen women officers in the armed forces lodged complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination in the preceding two years.
Example: Another case involved a Major in the Indian Army who was found guilty of sexual harassment by a General Court Martial
Leadership opportunity: The chances of women getting promoted to higher positions are low which limits women from joining the force.
Lack of infrastructure: Inadequate gender sensitive facilities like sanitation facilities, living quarters etc. limits their opportunity in the force.
Measures taken in this regard
Grant of permanent commission: Decision has been made to grant women personnel an opportunity to have permanent commission thus serving the nation for a longer span.
Women in NDA: The armed forces have opened entry for women in NDA with 19 cadets, including 10 for the Indian Army.
Women in army aviation: Since 2021, the Indian Army has also opened avenues for women to be pilots in the Corps of Army Aviation.
DISHA cell: Operated by Air force which serves as an induction publicity programme to encourage more women candidates.
Women officer onboard ships: Indian Navy present appoints women on onboard warships.
Agniveer: The agnipath scheme to bring more youth into the force gives equal treatment to men and women.
Security
Women in Armed Forces
Armed forces
Permanent commission for women
National Security architecture
General Studies Paper 3
Internal Security