Supreme Court on August 17, 2021 slammed the Indian Army for not allowing women to take part in National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exams.
- The apex court called the Army’s “policy decision” of not allowing women in NDA gender discrimination.
- The Bench ordered that female candidates can sit for the NDA exam on September 5 but the admissions will be subject to the outcome of the petition.
- A bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hrishikesh Roy directed the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) to give wide publicity to the new advertisement on admissions so that intent of the order is translated into effect and more women apply.
- A writ petition was filed by Kush Kalra seeking permission for women to sit for the NDA entrance exam.
- The petition raised the issue of violation of Articles 14 (Constitutional values of equality), 15 (equal opportunities in matters of public employment), 16 (freedom to practice a profession) and 19 (non-discrimination) of the Constitution of India by denying the opportunity to eligible women candidates to join NDA.
