The Central government on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it has in consultation with Armed Forces taken a decision to allow induction of women into National Defence Academy (NDA) [Kush Kalra v. Union of India]..Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the Court of the same. "I am delighted to share this. Girls will be admitted in NDA. We will place a detailed affidavit," Bhati said. The Court proceeded to record the same and posted the case for further hearing on September 22. The Court was hearing a public interest litigation petition claiming that denying women opportunity to be part of NDA was violative of their fundamentals rights under Articles 14, 15, 16 and 19 of the Constitution.The Court had during the previous hearing of the case, passed an interim order allowing women candidates to appear for NDA entrance exam.Bhati on Wednesday asked the Court to grant status quo with respect to the exams since procedural and infrastructural changes would be required.The Court proceeded to appreciate the Centre's stance on the issue."We have the nudged the authorities to take steps. The armed forces are respected branch in the country but for gender equality they needs to do more. We are happy with the stand. Let us hear the matter next week. Reforms cannot happen in a day, we are also conscious," the Court remarked.It also appreciated the ASG for her efforts and noted the same in its order. "ASG informs that armed services have taken a decision to induct females in NDA and other issues are being examined. Two weeks time sought to place the development plan. We compliment the ASG to persuade the armed services to take a more gender balancing approach," the order said.We do hope that defence forces value the important role women are performing. We want them to take proactive approach in gender based roles rather than courts to intervene, the Court added. Petitioner Kush Kalra was represented by Senior Advocate Chinmoy Sharma and Advocate Mohit Paul..In a landmark ruling in February 2020, the top court had ordered that women officers in the Army be granted Permanent Commission on par with their male counterparts.This was despite opposition by the Centre to the same.In March 2021, the Court had directed Central government to allow Permanent Commission to women officers who were excluded from the same on the ground of unequal application of fitness standards.
