Three years after the Supreme Court’s historic verdict, the Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun has completed preparations to train women officials for the first time. In July 2025, the National Defense Academy (NDA) will be the first batch graduate of women officers from Kharagwasla, after which they will be trained in different academies of the three armies. In this sequence, now the IMA has also opened its doors for women cadets.
The first batch will pass out of NDA in May 2025
Out of the 18 women cadets training in NDA, 8 have chosen the Indian Army. All these women officers will receive commission in the army after one year difficult training in IMA. Their training will be completed in May 2025. In August 2022, these women cadets took admission in NDA.
Preparations in IMA in full swing
Till now women were not trained in IMA, but now separate residential facilities and infrastructure are being arranged for them. However, training of male and female cadets will be similar. IMA officials have studied the necessary arrangements for training of women officials, visiting Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai, Air Force Academy Dundigal and Naval Academy.
New opportunities in army for women officers
In August 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that women can also become officers in the army by taking NDA exams. Earlier, women were recruited only under the Short Service Commission (SSC) in some selected branch. After this decision, now opportunities for command rolls in the army have been opened for women officers.
Increasing participation of women in NDA
Currently, 126 women cadets are undergoing training in NDA. UPSC conducts NDA exam every year, in which students studying or passing 12th can participate. After passing the exam, the selected candidates have to get a 6 -day SSB interview, medical examination and then the merit list. After three years of training at the NDA, they are sent to the Army’s Academy for one year.
New command rolls for women officials
Two years ago, it was decided to give command roles to women in the army, after which 145 women officers have been promoted to the post of Colonel so far. Out of these, 115 officers are commanding their respective units.
The introduction of training for women in IMA is a major step towards gender equality in the Indian Army, which will also give women a chance to move forward in important roles of leadership.
