Supreme Court allows women to appear for NDA exam

Supreme Court has allowed the women to appear for National Defence Academy (NDA) exam which is scheduled for September 5, 2021.

Key Points

• SC also slammed the Indian Army for not allowing women to take part in NDA entrance exams.
• Court called the Army’s policy decision as gender discrimination.
• According to the Apex Court, admissions will be subject to final orders of the court.

Background

Supreme Court allowed women for NDA exam following a writ petition that was filed by Kush Kalra. Kush Kalra filed petition, seeking permission for women to sit in the NDA entrance exam. Petition highlighted the issue of violation of Articles 14, 15, 16 and 19 of the Constitution as it was denying opportunity to eligible women candidates to join NDA.

National Defence Academy (NDA)

NDA is the joint defence service training institute of Indian Armed Forces. In the academy, cadets of three services namely, the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy are trained together before they go on to respective service academy for pre-commission training. It is located in Khadakwasla in Pune, Maharashtra. This academy is world’s first tri-service academy. The National Defence Academy was commissioned on December 7, 1954, with an inauguration ceremony that was held on January 16, 1955.

Alumni of NDA

Alumni of NDA comprises of 3 Param Vir Chakra recipients and 12 Ashoka Chakra recipients. It has also produced 27 service Chiefs of Staff as of now.

NDA EXAM

Applicants to the NDA are selected through a written exam conducted by the UPSC. It is followed by extensive interviews by Services Selection Board. It covers general aptitude, team skills, psychological testing, Physical and social skills besides the medical tests.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2021