Army for first time invites applications for Women Military Police recruitment

The Indian Army for first time since independence has initiated women induction drive for Soldier General Duty (Women Military Police). It invited applications for recruitment of 1,700 women soldiers initially.

Key Facts

• Recruitment rallies will be held in Ambala, Lucknow, Jabalpur, Bengaluru and Shillong to test candidates, and venue will be allotted based on their home districts. It will be mandatorily done through online registration.
• Enrolled Women Military Police personnel released on or before expiry of 17 years of service, may carry reserve liability for 2 years after release.
• Eligibility:

1. Age limit- 17½ to 21 years. Upper age limit relaxation up to 30 years (as on date of joining training) given to widows of defence personnel who died in service.
2. Minimum educational qualification- Class 10 with aggregate 45% marks and minimum 33% marks in each subject taken. Upper age limit will be relaxed up to 30 years of age (as on date of joining training) in respect of widows of defence personnel who have died in harness.
3. Status: Unmarried. Besides, widowed, divorced or legally separated women are also eligible but must not have children.

• Training: 1 year training at Corps of Military Police Regimental Centre, Bengaluru will be given to enrolled recruits before posting to units.
• Posting: They will initially be deployed for allied role or in areas where they will be needed to frisk women, and will be posted to chosen units in J&K and other parts of country. They will be responsible for protection of areas where separated family accommodation of soldiers is located i.e. quarters where jawans families stay when soldiers are posted in field areas.

Background

In 1993, women were inducted as Army officers and were given only Short Service Commission (a period of 10 years which can be extended up to 14 years) and inducted in combat support branches and support services. Later Army Aviation Corps was opened and permanent commission offered to women officers in Army Education Corps and Judge Advocate General’s branch. As there were no women in non-officer role in Army, demand of inducting women in Military Police was made in 2018. This demand was accepted by Ministry of Defence and formulated roadmap for women induction in Military Police. The success of this induction may be lead to more roles for women in Army in future.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2019