Supreme Court gives notice to the Center on the issue of removing women candidates from joining NDA

The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought answers from the Center and others on a petition that raised the issue of boycott of eligible and willing female candidates from joining the prestigious National Defense Academy (NDA) solely on the basis of sex Violation is the fundamental right to equality.

In the petition, the officials concerned have been directed to allow the eligible women candidates to appear in the ‘National Defense Academy and Naval Academy Examination’ and impart training in NDA.

A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde issued notice to the Center, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and others sought their responses to the petition stating that “Denial of eligible women candidates from entering the National Defense Academy is not constitutional.” is. And just based on their gender. ”Peeth, in which AS Bopanna and V. Ramasubrahmanyan, allowed a separate application filed by a woman from Uttar Pradesh, seeking extradition in the case.

The petition filed by advocate Kush Kalra referred to the February verdict of last year in which the apex court had directed that women officers in the army be given permanent commissions and command postings.

The plea states that the authorities allow unmarried male candidates to possess sufficient 10 + 2 qualification to take the ‘National Defense Academy and Naval Academy Examination’, but eligible and interested female candidates are required to take the exam without and without their gender. are not allowed. Any reasonable or equitable explanation within the four corners of the constitution.

It alleged that it was an “insult” discriminated against by officials concerned with constitutional values ​​of discrimination and non-discrimination.

“The Respondent’s Act expressly deprives eligible and interested female candidates to appear for the National Defense Academy and Naval Academy Examination, which is purely on the basis of sex, of the fundamental right to equality before law and equality.” Is a violation. Protection of the law, ”it said.

It stated that eligible women candidates are deprived of the opportunity to take adequate 10 + 2 level of education on the basis of their gender and this refusal is the result that they have access to any mode of entry to join the armed There is no force as officers at this level.

“Whereas, equal and equally situated male candidates have the opportunity to take the examination with 10 + 2 level of education and after joining qualification to join the National Defense Academy as a permanent commissioned officer in the Indian Armed Forces. To be trained is to be trained. ” said.

“To train women in the National Defense Academy and to receive commissions in the country’s armed forces as permanent commissioned officers based solely on their sex is a denial of the fundamental right to practice any profession and This is not fair within the purview of the Indian Constitution, ”it said.

It states that UPSC conducts ‘National Defense Academy and Naval Academy Examination’ and as per eligibility criteria, any unmarried male candidate with the necessary educational qualifications and persons between 15-18 years of age can attend it.

It states that the candidate should serve as a permanent commissioning officer till he attains the age of 19 years after qualifying in the examination and on successful completion of training in NDA and then after training in the respective service academy for cadets. goes. 22 years old.

“This opportunity to take the National Defense Academy and Naval Academy examinations at the age of 15–18 is not available to qualified and deserving female candidates and the only reason for this graded exclusion is on their basis. Sex, ”pleaded Said.

It has been claimed that the training period for women officers of the Short Service Commission is much shorter than the training that a male Permanent Commission officer, who gets admission through NDA, benefits.

The petition alleged that eligible and desirous women candidates should be denied equal opportunity under the law by not allowing them to appear in the examination. “Therefore, the state is not empowered to control the opportunity to allow entry of women into the National Defense Academy, by allowing qualified and deserving persons to join the National Defense Academy, receiving training in the most prominent institution of military education and training.” Prevents from. The country is developing and transforming itself into inspiring and inspiring leaders in the armed forces, based only on inaccurate and flawed conceptions of gender roles and sexual relations weakened by society.