Indian Navy Employs Highest Percentage Of Women Among Defence Services

It’s no secret that women in the armed forces are fewer in number when compared to men. But, according to details provided by the government in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, February 8, 2021, the Indian Navy has the highest percentage of women in its service (6.5 per cent), as compared to the Army and Air Force. Women account for 0.56 per cent and 1.08 per cent in the Army and Air Force, respectively.

According to Shripad Naik, minister of State for Defence, there are 6,807 women employed in the Army as compared to the 12,18,036 men serving in the force. According to the Economic Times, Naik said, “There has been an increase in the number of women personnel in the armed forces (excluding medical, dental, and nursing cadres) during the year 2020 compared to the figures in the year 2019.”

He also said that the percentage of women serving in the Indian Air Force, while excluding those serving in medical and dental wings, account for 1.08 per cent of those in service, totalling 1,607 women to 1,46,727 men.

When looking at the Indian Navy, the percentage of women in the service was significantly higher with the strength of women serving being 704 while the men in the totalled 10,108.

Naik also told the newspaper, “In addition to the provision of permanent commission to women officers in Judge Advocate General and Army Education Corps, the government of India has recently announced grant of permanent commission to women officers in all other Arms/Services in which they are eligible for commission.”

Naik confirmed that, in a phased manner, the government of India has sanctioned 1,700 women to be part of the Military Police Corps.

Image Courtesy: Twitter/Defence Squad (@Defence_Squad_)