New Delhi: Nudged by the Supreme Court, the Centre informed the apex court that it has taken a decision to allow women into the National Defence Academy (NDA).
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, submitted before a bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul that there is “good news”, as a decision has been taken at the highest level that women will be inducted into the NDA, and the chiefs of three Armed Forces have also agreed.
“A decision has been taken at the highest level of forces and the government that girls will be inducted into the National Defence Academy,” she said.
However, the government informed the bench also comprising Justice M M Sundresh that it needs some time to frame guidelines to pave the way for women to take NDA courses and sought exemption for the exam this year.
Justice Kaul said that the court has been periodically nudging the authorities to do it themselves, and sometimes things only move when the court steps in. “Armed forces are respected forces of this country. But on gender equality, they have to do more,” he said.
On August 18, the Supreme Court had said the mindset is not changing and emphasized why judicial orders are required to allow women candidates to take the entrance exam for the NDA, even after the top court’s judgment expanding the horizons and extending the permanent commission in the Army to women.
