NDA NAVAL KUSH KALRA DRAFT

The Supreme Court on Thursday 

A division bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice MM Sundaresh said

The plea has been filed seeking inclusion women candidates in the NDA and Naval Academy examination stating that the act of Respondents to categorically exclude eligible and willing female candidates from appearing for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination, solely on the ground of sex, is a violation of the Fundamental Right of Equality before the Law and Equal Protection of the law.

Earlier, the Court had asked the Centre to include women in the permanent commissions of NDA and Naval Academy from this year's examination that is scheduled to be held on November 2021.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) had filed an affidavit at the supreme court stating that the necessary mechanism to recruit women cadets in the permanent commissions will be in place by May 2022. 

The affidavit states that considering the timeline, necessary arrangements need to be made to the infrastructure of the National Defence Academy (NDA) to ensure smooth induction and seamless training of women candidates.

According to the affidavit, while medical standards for male cadets is already in place, they need to be formulated for women cadets in consultation with the defence services and the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services.

The affidavit also mentions that constructing facilities such as separate living quarters, rest rooms  in addition to recruitment of more gynaecologists, sports medicine specialists, lady attendants and nurses will have to be done prior to recruiting women cadets. It further prays for disposal of the petition by taking on record the affirmative stand of the government. 

Case Title: Kush Kalra Vs. Union of India