(a) whether the girls are not allowed to appear for competitive entrance examination for seeking admission to National Defence Academy;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has received any proposal to start sainik school exclusively for girls;
(d) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
(e) the details of schools imparting defence training to girls in India?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)
(a) & (b): National Defence Academy is for personnel who are entitled to permanent Commission. Girls are not considered for grant of permanent commission in the Armed Forces, except as Medical Officers.
(c) to (e): Yes, Sir. A letter had been received from Minister of State for Education, Women and Child Welfare, Government of Gujarat, in 1998 requesting for the setting up of a sainik school for girls. But since the primary aim of Sainik Schools is to prepare boys for their induction into the Armed Forces through National Defence Academy, it was not found necessary to start Sainik Schools for girls. Lady candidates who are selected for Short Service Commission, however, are imparted training at Officers Training Academy, Chennai.