Syllabus
GS Paper 1 – Role of women and women’s organization
Context
In recent years, the issue of gender discrimination within the Indian military has come under scrutiny, particularly concerning the treatment of women officers.This article looks into recent supreme court judgement and further reforms needed in the armed forces.
Source
The Indian Express | Editorial dated 28th February 2024
Women in Armed Forces
The participation of women in India’s armed forces is progressively broadening, with an increasing number assuming leadership roles within military units. While achieving gender equality in the armed forces remains a journey of considerable length, the efforts to attain this goal have commenced positively.
Evolution of women’s participation in Armed forces
- Early Inclusion: Women in India have served in the military since the 19th century, primarily in nursing roles. The Military Nursing Service was formally established in 1888.
- Expanded Roles: Women started being inducted into various non-medical branches of the Indian Army in 1992 as Short Service Commission (SSC) officers.
- Permanent Commission: In 2020, the Supreme Court of India granted women the right to Permanent Commission (PC) in all ten branches of the Army where Short Service Commission for women was applicable.
- Agnipath Scheme: Under the recently introduced Agnipath Scheme, women are eligible for recruitment as Agniveers in the three services.
Notable contributions
Some notable women who have made history in the Indian Armed Forces include:
- Gertrude Alice Ram was the first female major general of the Indian Army.
- Mitali Madhumita: The first woman officer in the Indian Army to receive a gallantry award (Sena Medal) for actions in a counter-insurgency operation.
- Punita Arora: The first woman to hold the rank of Lieutenant General in the Indian Armed Forces, and the first woman Vice Admiral in the Indian Navy.
- Padmavathy Bandopadhyay: The first woman Air Marshal in the Indian Air Force.
Suprem Court Judgement
| Supreme Court Directs Compensation for Wrongful Termination: The Supreme Court directed the Ministry of Defence to pay Rs 60 lakh in compensation to former permanent commissioned officer Lt. Selina John of the Military Nursing Service (MNS). Lt. Selina John was wrongly released from service in 1988 on the grounds of her marriage, which the court deemed as a coarse case of gender discrimination and inequality. Background of the Case: Lt. Selina John, a former permanent commissioned officer of the MNS, was released from employment in 1988 due to her marriage. The termination of her employment was challenged before the Armed Forces Tribunal, Regional Bench, Lucknow, which deemed it illegal and directed her reinstatement with back wages. The Central government challenged this decision in the Supreme Court (‘Union of India & Others vs. Ex. Lt. Selina John’), which ultimately dismissed the government’s challenge and ruled in favor of Lt. Selina John. Discriminatory Rule and Supreme Court Ruling: The termination was based on Army Instruction No. 61 of 1977, which allowed termination of employment for women nursing officers upon marriage. The Supreme Court deemed this rule as manifestly arbitrary and a case of gender discrimination. The Court directed the payment of compensation to Lt. Selina John and rejected the government’s argument based on the rule. |
Scope for more reforms
Equality of opportunity:
- The nation’s law mandates equal chances for men and women in the armed services.
- Educating all ranks to embrace this change is the primary step.
- A comprehensive investigation within the military is needed to establish policies for female enlistment, training, terms, conditions, and management, drawing from contemporary military practices.
Gender neutrality:
- Apart from commanders, direct recruitment for soldiers, sailors, and airmen needs to be initiated.
- The ultimate aim is a merit-based entrance system that remains gender-neutral.
- Initial gender quotas may be necessary for administrative purposes to develop infrastructure and promote women’s participation.
Physical fitness standards:
- Debates surround the establishment of physical fitness standards for women.
- Scientific studies are required to determine gender-specific or gender-neutral fitness benchmarks for men and women.
- The potential loss of service due to pregnancy, post-partum recovery, and motherhood is seen as a disadvantage for women in combat roles.
Conclusion
The case of Lt. Selina John exemplifies the ongoing struggle for gender equality within the Indian military and underscores the imperative for institutional reforms to address discriminatory practices.
Related Topics
Agnipath Scheme
The Agnipath scheme is a tour of duty program launched by the Indian government in June 2022 for recruiting soldiers below officer ranks into the three branches of the Indian Armed Forces: Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Eligibility:
- Age: 17.5 to 23 years (for 2022 recruitment only, the upper limit was 21 years)
- Gender: Open to both males and females.
Service Duration:
- Recruits, called Agniveers, are recruited for a 4-year period.
- After 4 years, only 25% of Agniveers will be offered the opportunity to serve for an additional 14 years.
- The remaining 75% will transition to civilian life with a seva nidhi package (financial assistance) and skill certifications.
Objectives:
- The government aims to create a younger and fitter armed forces by inducting fresh talent every four years.
- It aims to reduce the pension burden on the military.
- The scheme also aims to equip Agniveers with skills and qualifications for civilian careers after their service period.
References
PIB.
Practice Question
Discuss the challenges and opportunities for women in the Armed Forces of India. How have recent legal and policy changes impacted the status and roles of women officers? [250 words]
How to approach this question?
Introduction
- Women in Indian Armed Forces: Briefly introduce the topic by mentioning the increasing role of women in the Indian Armed Forces.
Body
- Historical Background: Discuss the historical journey of women in the Indian Armed Forces, from auxiliary roles to combat roles.
- Challenges Faced by Women: Discuss the challenges faced by women in the Armed Forces, such as deep-seated stereotypes, low acceptance, sexual assault, and issues related to pregnancy and motherhood.
- Opportunities for Women: Highlight the opportunities for women in the Armed Forces, such as the expansion of roles, the ability to join non-combat branches, and the potential for leadership positions.
- Legal and Policy Changes: Discuss the significant legal and policy changes, such as the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2020 granting permanent commissions to women, and the opening of the National Defence Academy to women.
- Impact of Changes on Women Officers: Discuss the impact of these changes on the status and roles of women officers, such as increased opportunities for command positions, promotions, and benefits.
Conclusion
- Future Prospects and Importance: Conclude by discussing the future prospects for women in the Indian Armed Forces and the importance of continuing to break down barriers.
Remember to provide a balanced answer, incorporating relevant facts and figures, and propose feasible solutions. Structure your answer well, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Also, ensure that your answer is within the word limit specified for the exam. Good luck!