The power of women power is visible in the Indian Army. Like men, women are also showcasing their abilities by increasing the army. The latest example of this has been an important step in the press briefing of Operation Sindoor recently run by the army to give information related to war by two women officers of the army. Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, presented the picture of India’s might in front of the whole world in a press conference and told how and what India took and what action was taken through Operation Sindoor. Both the women officers of the army, through a press conference every day, gave the fresh information to the world through a press conference and showed that women power in India is no less than anyone.
Women are being sought for women with centuries in India. It is said that where women are worshiped and enjoyed, there are gods. Where these are not worshipped, all the fruits are fruitless.
That is, where the women are worshiped, the gods are Rama. Where women are not worshiped, all the works done there are fruitless. We worship Maa Durga in the country twice a year in the country and give the message to the world that mother power is not less than anyone. Now in our army, women have shown their excellent ability by demonstrating their talent in every field by shoulder to shoulder. Women are flying fighter planes. So seems ready to play every kind of role in the battlefield.
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The history of women’s participation in the Indian armed forces has been full of long struggle and changes. Since the time of freedom struggle, women have been indirectly contributing to India’s security and service. But the path of his appointment formally in the army opened much later. Rani Jhansi Regiment, built in 1943, was part of the Azad Hind Fauj of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. This was the first time women appeared actively on the war front. Even after independence, women in the armed forces were limited to long -term supporting roles.
In August 2023, Union Minister of State for Defense Ajay Bhatt had told in Parliament that 11414 women are serving in the three army about the number of women in the three army of India (Army, Navy, Air Force). 7054 women are serving in the service. There are 1733 women officers among them. This figure is till 1 January 2023. 1654 officers are serving in Indian air service while 155 women are serving as Air Main (Agniveer). The Indian Navy is serving 580 women as officers while 727 women are posted as Salers (Agniveer).
Similarly, 1212 women are working in Army Dental Cars and 3841 women in military nursing service in Indian Army Medical Corps. 151 women are serving 10 women in Navy Medical Corps and 380 women are serving in military nursing service. 274 women are serving five women in Indian air service medical corps and 425 women in military nursing service.
Earlier women were taken in the short service commission. But following the Supreme Court order in February 2020, women have started getting permanent commission in the army. Now girls are selected in 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 in Parliament in March 2025 that 126 women have received admission in NDA since the first batch entry of women cadets in 2022. Opportunities are the same for them after coming into armed forces. His career progress will be the same as boys. Service routes are the same. Now we can proudly say that our army has completely gender neutralization.
Today is also our female combat pilot in the army. The missile that moves also goes to the front. She also looks at engineering work and also controls the satellite. Now women also do defense. Technical intelligence also collects. Women are not yet sent to face to face. Squadron Leader Mohan Singh of Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan became the first woman to join the Tejas Fighter Spider of Indian air service in 2016. Prior to this, she has also blown the MiG 21 Bison Fighter Plane. Group Captain Salia Dhami has become the first female officer of air service who is commanding the frontline compact unit. She is also the first female officer to become the flight commander of the flying unit. India’s Armed Forces Medical Services and the Army and Navy medical services are being led by women officials.
India’s progress towards ensuring gender equality in defense forces has been slow. But people believe that there has been continuous progress in it. Now a lot of women are in lead roles together. They are making way for others. A lot will depend on their performance. If they are doing a good job then it will be easy to accept them and the way will be cleared for women coming.
Under the short service commission, women can only serve up to 10 or 14 years. After this she retires. But now they will also get a chance to apply for permanent commission. With which she will be able to continue her services in the army even further and will retire according to the rank. They will also get pension and all allowances. In 1992, the first batch of women was recruited for the short service commission for five years. The period of this service was then extended for 10 years. In 2006, the short service commission was reduced to 14 years.
The Indian Army now encourages women by implementing the policies set for them for appointment to the armed force. For this, the Permanent Commission for Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Core and Military Nursing Services has been approved for women. Now women officers get Permanent Commission in 11 Arms and Services. These include Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Army Eduation Corps, Judge Advocate General Branch, Engineer Core, Signal Corps, Electronics and Mechanical Corps, Intelligence Core, Army Air Defense, Army Aviation, Remount and Veterinary Core etc.
After the Permanent Commission, the female officer has started becoming a part of the artillery included in the most important organs of the Indian Army. Army Artillery has about 300 regiments and about 5,000 officers. Women officers involved in the artillery have also been allowed to be deployed in 2023 on cannons like Bofors, Hovitzer, K-9 Vajra.
At present, there is no discrimination on gender basis in appointments in the Indian Armed Forces. There is no difference in deployment for arms and services of male and female soldiers. Everyone’s posting is done according to the needs of the army. Women officers in the Indian Army were brought to the Permanent Commission on 23 November 2021 for a gender neutral career program policy. Through this, equal opportunities have been provided to women in weapons and other services.
– Ramesh Saraf Dhamora
(The author is an independent journalist recognized by the Government of Rajasthan.)
