There have been two starkly opposing views about women serving in combat roles in the Indian armed forces. One section believes that women should have equal access to combat roles, irrespective of gender. Another section says putting women in such roles in the Indian army can be detrimental for the women themselves, as they would face even worse consequences if captured.
Having said that, the more progressive section that has been advocating the inclusion of women in the Indian army claims women should have the autonomy to make that choice for themselves. Inclusion and fair training enable women to do just as well in the armed forces as men.
History of women in the armed forces
The induction of women in the Indian Armed Forces goes back to 1888, as women took up nursing roles during the first world war. It was then that due to their impressive job performance, the Indian army was convinced that women should be included. This led to the formation of the Women’s Auxilliary Corps which enabled women to serve in non-combat positions.
Noor Inayat Khan was one woman who is still remembered for her incredible service during the second world war. However, while the British Indian Army promoted the inclusion of women in the army, it was limited to non-combat roles. It was during the battle with the Imperial Japanese Army that women in the Rani of Jhansi Regiment were seen fighting in combat roles.
Contemporary trends and gender inclusivity
In 2021, the Indian military saw a threefold increase in the inclusion of women in the armed forces. Despite that, according to Hindustan Times, women still form a very small percentage of the Indian military: 0.56% of the army, 1.08% of the air force and 6.5% of the navy.
It was the year 2015 when things started improving with regard to the inclusion of women in the Indian armed forces. That was the first time, the Indian Air Force included women in the fighter wing, followed by the Indian navy inducting women too.
In 2020, the Indian government granted a permanent commission to women officers in several streams: Army Air Defence (AAD), Signals, Engineers, Army Aviation, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), Army Service Corps (ASC), Army Ordnance Corps (AOC), and Intelligence Corps. This is apart from existing streams of Judge and Advocate General (JAG) and Army Educational Corps (AEC).
The same year, around 70 per cent of female officers were considered for permanent commission in the Indian Army.
Supreme court in encouraging women’s participation in the armed forces
In March 2020, the Supreme Court of India passed a milestone judgement: “Induct women officers in all types of warships in the Indian Navy, as a natural process of societal evolution, the possible induction of women into combat arms is going to be the next challenge, which Indian Military will be confronted with. The leadership in combat arms at each level, from detachment to highest formation, is laid on a bedrock principle of ‘Leading from the front’ which must not be compromised.”
Major General S B Asthana said, “If every other combat arms officer has to go through Commando/Counterinsurgency/Mountain warfare course and serve in Rashtriya Rifle or Assam Rifle for at least one tenure, the same yardstick must apply to women officers.”
The decision to allow the induction of women into the National Defence Academy is seen as the first step in establishing gender equality in the Indian armed forces.
Indian women in the army who defied the odds
Punita Arora
Arora is the first Indian woman to be appointed as Lieutenant General of the Indian Armed Forces, as well as Vice-Admiral of the Indian Navy. She has helped with medical research for the armed forces as the additional director-general of Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).
Padmavathy Bandopadhyay
She was the first female Air Marshal of the Indian Air Force. She was also the first woman to complete her Defence Service Staff College course in 1978. Apart from that, she was also the first woman to become an aviation medicine specialist and conduct research at the North Pole, and be promoted as Air Vice Marshal.
Mitali Madhumita
Lieutenant Colonel Mitali Madhumita is India’s first woman officer to receive the Sena Medal for gallantry. She was also the first officer to reach the Indian embassy in Kabul when it was attacked by suicide bombers. Unarmed, she still ran close to the danger zone, saving 19 officers who were buried under the wreckage.
Priya Jhingan
She was the first woman cadet in India to join the army. In 1992, she wrote a letter to the Army Chief asking him to allow women to join the army. One year after that, Jhingan and 24 other women were recruited.
Others
Names like Anjana Bhaduria, Divya Ajith Kumar, Priya Semwal, Sophia Qureshi and more also deserve the utmost respect for their work in the Indian Armed Forces, as well as many other women giving their all.
Times are changing and India is understanding that women are equally capable of serving in the army. We look forward to more equality in the recruitment process.
FAQs
Are women allowed in combat roles in the Indian Army?
Yes, women are allowed.
Who was the first female cadet to join the Indian Army?
Priya Jhingan