At present, the Ministry of Defence conducts two exams for recruitment of candidates into the IMA, INA and the AFA. One is the National Defence Academy (NDA) exams which is for candidates who have passed Class XII and exams and the other is CDS which is for candidates who are graduates.
Earlier, recruitment of female candidates into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), the Indian Naval Academy (INA) and the Air Force Academy (AFA) was not allowed either through the NDA or the CDS. However, after Supreme Court orders, women can now join the NDA at par with men.
Kalra argued that even though women are joining the defence forces through the NDA, the practice in CDS is still discriminatory.
“This exclusion of eligible female candidates from the opportunity to get training at the premier Indian training institute of the Indian Armed Forces which, at a later point of time, becomes a hurdle in the career advancement opportunities for Female Officers in the Armed Forces,” the plea said.
It added,
“The Respondents allow the unmarried male candidates having adequate Degree to take the CDS Examination and join Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy. However, eligible and willing female candidates are not allowed to take the same Examination on the sole ground of their sex and without any reasonable or justifiable explanations within the four corners of the Constitution and this act of discrimination is a dishonour committed by the Respondents to the Constitutional values of Equality and Non-Discrimination.”
Source: Barandbench
