SC notice to govt on fixed intake of women in military colleges

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the central government's explanation on why it stuck to the 2021 numbers for the intake of women into the National Defence Academy and other national military schools and colleges for next academic year as well.

The court had nudged the government to open up the entrance tests for the NDA, Rashtriya Indian Military College, rashtriya military schools and colleges to female candidates, after ordering the services to treat women on short service commission on par with men.

The government and the armed forces had agreed to the court direction to abide by the constitutional mandate of ensuring gender equality. But they said they have to first upgrade the infrastructure to accommodate female candidates and that based on the upgrade, the numbers would be progressively increased.


On Tuesday, additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhatti said much would also depend on the requirement of the forces.

This fact was brought to the court's attention by senior advocate CP Sharma on behalf of Kush Kalra, who had won the case for allowing entry of women into the NDA and other institutes. Sharma contended that the intake cannot remain the same and must go up every year.

The bench has asked the government to reply in three weeks.