Ministry of defence makes induction of women fighter pilots in IAF a permanent scheme.
What is the news:
- The MoD has decided to convert the Experimental Scheme for Induction of Women Fighter Pilots in the Indian Air Force into a permanent scheme.
- It is a testimony to the capability of India’s ‘Nari Shakti’
- Over six years after the Indian Air Force (IAF) had started accepting women pilots on an experimental basis, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has decided to convert it into a permanent scheme,
- Till date, 16 women fighter pilots have been commissioned in the IAF. The MoD has now given clearance to make it a permanent scheme.
Overview :
- The Defence Ministry had approved allowing women to join the Air Force as fighter pilots in 2015, but the scheme for “Induction of Women SSC officers in Fighter Stream of Flying Branch” began in 2016.
- Women fighter pilots came into the spotlight just last week, when Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh, India’s first female pilot for the Rafale fighter aircraft, was seen standing on the Air Force’s tableau in the Republic Day parade.
- She was the second-ever woman fighter pilot to be part of the Republic Day parade, the first being Flight Lieutenant Bhawna Kanth, who was a part of Air Force’s tableau in 2021.
- Last year has given a major boost to women joining the armed forces, as, after intervention from the Supreme Court, women have been allowed to join the National Defence Academy, that feeds officers into the three forces.
- Nearly a third of the candidates who appeared for the NDA’s entrance test in November were women.
- The Supreme Court had also intervened in 2020 to push the Army to allow Permanent Commission to women in all non-combat streams.
Representation of women in defence forces:
The representation of women in the defence forces is as follows:
| Army | Navy | Air Force |
| 0.59% (including AMC/ADC/MNS) | 6%* | 1.08% |
- Women Officers are being granted Permanent Commission in 10 Arms/Services of Indian Army subject to their meeting the Qualitative Requirement (QR) along with the Short Service Commissioned Men Officers. Women Officers are also being inducted in Army Aviation Corps as Pilots from June 2021 onwards.
- The Government has sanctioned for enrolment of 1700 women in Corps of Military Police in a phased manner. The induction of women has commenced from the year 2020. First batch of women Military Police personnel have completed their training and reported to units.
- The Defence Forces have opened entry for women candidates in NDA, allowing girls to appear in NDA entrance exams from July 2022 courses onwards. For the first batch, written exam has been conducted on 14thNovember, 2021.
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) undertakes various induction publicity measures to encourage youth including women to join IAF. Modules like direct contact programme, print and electronic media is extensively used to create awareness about IAF and educate students about various mode of entries.
- Women officers in Indian Navy are appointed onboard warships. Currently 29 women officers are appointed to ships.
Other recent news:
Women’s Empowerment in the Armed Forces
- An initiative has been undertaken by the Ministry of Defence towards empowering Women in the Services. Permanent Commission of women officers has been implemented in the Armed Forces.
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi made an announcement during his Independence Day speech this year that all Sainik Schools, across India, will now be open for girls. All the Sainik Schools are now offering admissions to girls and more than 350 girls have been admitted so far.
- BRO appointed women officers to command important Road Construction Companies (RCC) along border areas. In Apr 2021, EE (Civil) Vaishali S Hiwase, a GREF officer took over the reins of 83 Road Construction Company and was employed on an important Indo-China Road connecting Munisairi-Bughdiar-Milam.
- Government has now allowed girls of the country to appear in the National Defence Academy examination. The necessary administrative training and policy changes have been made. The NDA June 2022 course will have the first batch of women cadets.
- First batch of women Naval Operations officers were inducted into rotary wing and joined the helicopter squadron INAS 336 at INS Garuda, Kochi on February 03, 2021. Lt Kumudini Tyagi and Lt Riti Singh have operated onboard warships as combat aircrew.