Historic Move! 'Armed Forces decide to induct females in NDA', Centre tells Supreme Court
A decision has been taken at the highest level of the armed forces as well as the government that females will be inducted for permanent commission through the NDA.
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New Delhi, Sept 8: In a hitoric move, the Centre informed the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the armed forces have decided to induct women into the National Defence Academy (NDA).
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, told a bench headed by Justice SK Kaul that a decision has been taken at the highest level of the armed forces as well as the government that females will be inducted for permanent commission through the NDA.
“The idea is when nothing happens, the court steps in. Let me assure you it’s not a happy situation to step in and we would like the armed services to do it themselves. They are very respected forces of the country but on gender equality they have to do more and sometimes the resistance does not come out well,” said the bench, also comprising Justice M M Sundresh.
The ASG told the bench that the thought was already there in their minds but it was only in the seeding stage. "I am happy that the heads of armed forces have taken a positive decision. Put on record, we will take up the matter. We are happy with the stand. let us hear the matter next week. Reforms cannot happen in a day. We are also conscious of that," the Bench said.
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The apex asked ASG Bhati to put the statement on record through an affidavit and adjourned the matter for two weeks and posted the matter for hearing on September 22. "We are extremely glad to know as ASG submits that armed forces have taken a decision to induct females in NDA and other issues are being examined. They would like to place developments and future plans before us for which time is sought," it said.
Also Read: Supreme Court allows women to appear for NDA exams
The court was hearing the plea seeking to allow women to take part in the NDA exams. Earlier, the top court had in an interim order allowed women to take the NDA exam which was scheduled for September 5. Today, ASG said that the women will be admitted to the NDA and apprised the Bench that the exam was postponed to November 24, 2021.