SC Allows Women To Take NDA Exam, Slams Army For 'Gender Discrimination'

The Supreme Court has issued an order allowing women to take the NDA exam.

SC has allowed women to take NDA exam (File Photo)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed women to take the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam scheduled for September 5th. The Apex Court said that admissions will be subject to the final orders of the court.

The court also slammed the army for not allowing women to take part in NDA exams. On Army's submission that it's a policy decision, the top court says that this policy decision is based on "gender discrimination".

The Court was hearing a plea which stated that the eligible and willing female candidates are being denied the opportunity of entry to the National Defence Academy on the basis of their gender, thereby systematically and categorically excluding eligible female candidates the opportunity to train at the premier joint training institute of the Indian Armed Forces which, at a later point of time, becomes a hurdle in the career advancement opportunities for Female Officers in the Armed Forces, according to Live Law.

The top court also slammed the government's "mindset problem" when it comes to equal service opportunities for men and women in the country's military, and warned, "you better change", according to Live Law.

"This is a mindset problem. You (the government) better change it... don't force us to pass orders," the top court said, adding, "This policy decision is based on gender discrimination. We direct the respondents to take a constructive view of the matter in view of the judgement of this court."

"The endeavour is to persuade the Army to do things itself... We would prefer if the Army did some things itself, rather than us passing orders." Why are you continuing in this direction? Even after Justice Chandrachud's judgement expanding the horizons and extending Permanent Commission in the Army to women? This is unfounded... We are finding it absurd!" a displeased Justice SK Kaul asked of the Additional Solicitor General, quoted the Live Law report.

The Centre had earlier said that women cannot claim violation of any fundamental right for being denied entry as the male cadets trained there do not have any automatic advantage in future career advancement prospects over the women whose only route to enter the Army is by recruitment through short service commission.