India has finally allowed girls to be admitted to military schools across the country to pave way for the armed forces to be an equal opportunity avenue for women. The network of 28 Sainik (Military) Schools run by the Minister of Defence are a feeder source for quality recruits to the officer cadre of the armed forces.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 18 gave the go-ahead for Military Schools to be made co-educational in a phased manner from the academic session 2021-22 following the success of a 'pilot project' at Sainik School Chhingchhip in Mizoram two years ago.

Making military schools co-educational is to systemically and structurally enable girls to be able to compete on equal terms with boys for entry into the officer cadre of the Indian armed forces

"The Defence Minister has directed concerned authorities to ensure availability of necessary infrastructure and sufficient female staff in Sainik schools for smooth implementation of the directive," the spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence announced.

"The decision is in line with the objective of the Government towards greater inclusiveness, gender equality, enabling greater participation of women in Armed Forces and strengthening the motto of 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao', propagated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the spokesperson added.

The armed forces opened its doors to women in the officer cadre in non-combat arms in 1994 for short-service commission. Since then, women has made considerable progress in the military, breaking what is perhaps the last glass ceiling. Women are now accepted into the combat stream as fighter pilots in the IAF, and also have an opportunity to be considered for grant of permanent commission. More recently, doors were also opened to women for recruitment in below officer ranks for the first time in the Corps of Military Police.

The armed forces opened its doors to women in the officer cadre in non-combat arms in 1994 for short-service commission. Since then, women has made considerable progress in the military, breaking what is perhaps the last glass ceiling. Women are now accepted into the combat stream as fighter pilots in the IAF

The Narendra Modi Government has given a push to making the armed forces gender equitable.

Sainik Schools were started in 1961 as an initiative to correct the regional and class imbalance in the officer cadre of the armed forces. These schools are meant to prepare students for entry into the National Defence Academy and the Indian Naval Academy.

Making military schools co-educational is to systemically and structurally enable girls to be able to compete on equal terms with boys for entry into the officer cadre of the Indian armed forces.