The power of women is visible in the Indian army. Like men, women are also showing their abilities in the army. The latest example of this is that in the press briefing of Operation Sindoor recently conducted by the army, two women officers of the army gave information related to the war, which has been an important step. Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, presented the picture of India’s might to the whole world by holding a press conference and told how and what action India took through Operation Sindoor. Both the women officers of the army provided fresh information to the country and the world through press conferences every day about the military action and showed that women power in India is no less than anyone else.
For centuries in India, women have been given the status of Matri Shakti. It has been said that where women are worshipped, there the gods reside. Yatraitastu na pujyante sarvaastraaphalah kriyah।। Meaning: Where women are worshipped, gods reside there. Where women are not worshipped, all the works done there become futile. By worshipping Maa Durga in the form of mother power on Navratri twice a year in the country, we give the message to the country and the world that mother power is no less than anyone. Now, in our army, women have shown their excellent ability by standing shoulder to shoulder with men and demonstrating their talent in every field. Women are flying fighter planes. So they seem ready to play every kind of role in the battlefield.
The history of women’s participation in the Indian armed forces has been full of long struggles and changes. Since the time of the freedom struggle, women have been indirectly contributing to the security and service of India. But the way for their formal appointment in the army opened much later. The Rani Jhansi Regiment, formed in the year 1943, was a part of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Azad Hind Fauj. This was the first time when women were actively seen on the war front. Even after independence, women in the armed forces were confined to supporting roles for a long time. Regarding the number of women in the three armies of India (Army, Navy, Air Force), in August 2023, Union Minister of State for Defense Ajay Bhatt told the Parliament that 11414 women are serving in the three armies. 7054 women are serving in the Army Service. Among these, 1733 are women officers. This figure is till January 1, 2023. 1654 officers are serving in the Indian Air Service while 155 women are serving as Air Men (Agniveer). 580 women are serving as officers in the Indian Navy while 727 women are posted as Sailors (Agniveer). Similarly, 1212 women are working in the Army Medical Corps of the Indian Army, 168 women in Army Dental Corps and 3841 women in Military Nursing Service. 151 women are serving in the Medical Corps of the Navy, 10 women in dental work and 380 women in the Military Nursing Service. 274 women are serving in the Medical Corps of the Indian Air Service, five women in the Dental Corps and 425 women in the Military Nursing Service.
Earlier women were taken only in Short Service Commission. But after the order of the Supreme Court in February 2020, women have started getting permanent commission in the army. Now girls are selected for 10 percent of the total seats of NDA and that too by competing in open competition. Minister of State for Defense Sanjay Seth had told the Parliament in March 2025 that since the entry of the first batch of women cadets in 2022, 126 women have got admission in NDA till now. After joining the Armed Forces, opportunities are equal for them too. Their career progress will be the same as that of boys. Service routes are the same. Now we can say with pride that there has been complete gender neutralization in our army.
Today, we have women combat pilots in the army. Those who fly missiles also go to the front. They also look after engineering work and also control satellites. Now women also do defense. They also collect technical intelligence. Till now women are not sent in face-to-face battle. Squadron Leader Mohan Singh of Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan became the first woman to join the Tejas Fighter Spider of the Indian Air Force in 2016. Before this, she has also flown the MiG 21 Bison fighter plane. Group Captain Salia Dhami has become the first woman officer of the Air Service who is commanding a frontline compact unit. She is also the first woman officer to become the flight commander of a flying unit. India’s Armed Forces Medical Services and the medical services of the Army and Navy are being led by women officers.
India’s progress towards ensuring gender equality in the defense forces has been slow. But people believe that there has been steady progress in this. Now many women are simultaneously in key roles. They are paving the way for others. A lot will depend on their performance. If they are doing good work, it will be easy to accept them and the path will be clear for the upcoming women.
Under the Short Service Commission, women can serve only for 10 or 14 years. After this they retire. But now they will also get a chance to apply for permanent commission. With this, they will be able to continue their services in the army and retire according to the rank. Along with this, they will also get pension and all allowances. In 1992, the first batch of women was recruited for Short Service Commission for five years. After this, the period of this service was extended to 10 years. In 2006, the Short Service Commission was made 14 years.
The Indian Army now encourages women by implementing the policies set for them for appointment in the armed forces. For this, Permanent Commission has been approved for women for Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps and Military Nursing Services. Now women officers get permanent commission in 11 Arms and Services. These include Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Army Education Corps, Judge Advocate General Branch, Engineer Corps, Signal Corps, Electronics and Mechanical Corps, Intelligence Corps, Army Air Defence, Army Aviation, Remount and Veterinary Corps etc.
After the Permanent Commission, women officers have started becoming part of Artillery, one of the most important branches of the Indian Army. The Army Artillery has about 300 regiments and about 5,000 officers. Women officers in the Artillery have also been allowed to be deployed on guns like Bofors, Howitzer, K-9 Vajra in 2023.
At present, there is no discrimination on the basis of gender in appointments in the Indian Armed Forces. There is no difference in the deployment of male and female soldiers for weapons and services. Everyone is posted according to the needs of the army. A gender neutral career progression policy was introduced on 23 November 2021 for permanent commission to women officers in the Indian Army. Through this, women have been provided equal opportunities in arms and other services.
Ramesh Sarraf Dhamora
(The author is a freelance journalist recognized by the Government of Rajasthan.)
Tuesday, June 24, 2025