Centre Mulling Opening Doors Of Sainik Schools And National Defence Academy For Women

Around 600 cadets pass out each year from 25 Sainik Schools across the country who are then enrolled into the National Defence Academy (NDA), but none so far have taken women officers. But all this may soon change, informed Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.

As reported by The Indian Express, the centre is considering a proposal to induct girl students in Sainik Schools and the NDA. “There is a suggestion from the (Parliamentary) Standing Committee, there have been PILs and many members have also suggested… Sainik Schools prepare students for NDA, and the NDA is not taking girl cadets,” said Bhamre.

“This is a matter under consideration whether to give admission to girls in Sainik Schools as well as the NDA,” he added.

This comes almost a year after former defence minister Manohar Parrikar spoke about opening the doors of the defence academy to women and even proposed all-women battalions in the military.