Question : Combat Role for Women in Indian Army

(a) whether the Government does not have combat role for women in Indian Army so far;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has decided to break gender barrier in Indian Army by opening up combat position for women;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which an all women battalion is likely to be raised in the Army; and

(e) the other steps taken / being taken by the Government to give more responsibility to women in Indian Army and bring gender parity in all three wings of defence forces?

MINISTER OF STATE (DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
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(a) to (d): The induction of Women Officers is based on the organizational requirement, fighting efficiency, combat effectiveness and functionality of the Army.

Presently, women are inducted in Indian Army as Officers through Short Service Commission (SSC). Women Officers are inducted in Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Army Education Corps, Judge Advocate General Branch including Engineers, Signals, Intelligence and Electrical & Mechanical Engineering branches. They have also been granted option for Permanent Commission in Judge Advocate General (JAG) Department and in Army Education Corps (AEC) of Army. There has been a progressive enhancement in the induction of women in the Army.
There is no proposal to raise all women battalion in the Army.

(e) In the Army, women officers are being employed in the above streams and are being tasked which is commensurate to the rank and service on equal footing as male officers. In Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, women officers are inducted on same terms as male officers. For Indian Navy, the Government has approved induction of Women SSC officers as Pilots and in Naval Armament Inspectorate cadre with effect from 2017. As such, it is the endeavour of the Government to bring gender parity in all three wings of defence forces.

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