Women in Armed Forces

Context: The defence minister informed the Parliamentary Consultative Committee that increasing women’s participation in the armed forces remains a national priority.

About Women in Armed Forces:

• The Indian Armed Forces are progressively expanding the inclusion of women in combat, technical, and leadership roles across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

• Current Data (2024): Army: 1,735 women (6.85%) Air Force: 1,614 women (13.4%) Navy: 674 women (6%)

• Army: 1,735 women (6.85%)

• Air Force: 1,614 women (13.4%)

• Navy: 674 women (6%)

• Trend Since 2005: Army: up from 767 (2005) to 1,735 (2024) Air Force: up from 574 to 1,614 Navy: up from 154 to 674

• Army: up from 767 (2005) to 1,735 (2024)

• Air Force: up from 574 to 1,614

• Navy: up from 154 to 674

• Branch Access: Army: Women can join 12 branches including combat roles. Navy: All branches except submarines are open. Air Force: All branches open, including fighter pilots.

• Army: Women can join 12 branches including combat roles.

• Navy: All branches except submarines are open.

• Air Force: All branches open, including fighter pilots.

• Role Models: Officers like Col. Sofiya Qureshi (Army) and Wing Cmdr. Vyomika Singh (Air Force) exemplify women’s leadership in key operations like Operation Sindoor.

Relevance to UPSC Syllabus:

• GS Paper II (Governance & Social Justice): Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections: Women’s representation in institutions of national importance. Role of Civil Services and Defence Services: Gender sensitisation and inclusion in state services.

• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections: Women’s representation in institutions of national importance.

• Role of Civil Services and Defence Services: Gender sensitisation and inclusion in state services.

• GS Paper I (Society): Women empowerment and gender roles: Challenges to patriarchal structures within uniformed services.

• Women empowerment and gender roles: Challenges to patriarchal structures within uniformed services.

• Essay Paper & Ethics (GS-IV): Themes of equality, justice, and institutional reforms. Role-model based case studies on courage and integrity

• Themes of equality, justice, and institutional reforms.

• Role-model based case studies on courage and integrity