Defence: Women Joining Army

Ministry of Defence

Women Joining Army

Posted On: 07 FEB 2018

The induction of women in Indian Army is based on the organizational requirements, fighting efficiency, combat effectiveness and functionality. Presently, women are recruited in Indian Army in the Military Nursing Service and as Officers through Short Service Commission (SSC) on all India merit basis in specific branches like Army Service Corps, Army Ordinance Corps, Army Education Corps, Judge Advocate General, Signals, Intelligence and Electrical and Mechanical Engineering branches.

Government has taken a number of measures to encourage both men and women from all parts of the country including Maharashtra to join the defence forces, viz. (i) sustained image projection; (ii) publicity campaign to create awareness among the youth on the advantages of taking up a challenging and satisfying career; (iii) participation in career fairs and exhibitions; (iv) motivational lectures in schools and colleges etc.

This information was given by RakshaRajyaMantriDr.SubhashBhamrein a written reply to Shri Ashok MahadeoraoNetein LokSabha today.

PIB

Women in Defence Forces

Women in Defence Forces

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Defence

09-December-2016 15:37 IST

Women in Defence Forces

The total held strength of defence personnel vis-a-vis the total number of female officers (excluding medical and dental branch) in all the three wings of defence forces is as under:

Army			Navy			Air Force
Total officers (as on 1.1.2016)	PBOR (as on 1.1.2016)	Women officers(as on 1.7.2016)	Total officers(as on 6.12.2016)	Sailors(as on 6.12.2016)	Women officers(as on 6.12.2016)	Total officers(as on 1.12.2016)	Airmen(as on 1.11.2016)	Women officers(as on 1.12.2016)
41162	1159093	1512	9356	57031	453	11948	128898	1584

The Government has been taking steps to make Short Service Commission (SSC) more attractive which in turn is also expected to encourage the intake of women officers in the Armed Forces. Further, few more branches / streams have been opened for induction of women as SSC officers.

The details of women officers (excluding medical and dental branch) recruited during the last three years, Service-wise, are as under:

Year	Army	Navy	Air Force
2013	127	50	144
2014	104	57	155
2015	72	35	223

On experimental basis, the Government has inducted three women Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) in Air Force into the fighter stream on 18.6.2016. This experimental entry scheme for women in fighter stream will be valid for 5 years from the date of issue of Government of India letter dated 2.12.2015. However, presently there is no proposal with the Government to induct women officers for combat duties in Army or for deployment of women onboard warships.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Dr. Thokchom Meinya and others in Lok Sabha today.