Gauri Chhabra
International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. Women are the reflections of the strength and stamina. Today the women are so brave and so confident that they can do anything that they want to do. They are the major part of the society. But many people were not recognizing that women are equally important than the men from the past the men dominated society is continued. But now a day’s women are almost treating equally as like men. Women are given rights to implement their choice. Now they equally participate in serving their country by joining armed forces and also playing a crucial role in the functioning and success of all the Army services.
Women in Armed Forces
The Indian Armed Forces are the federal military forces of the Union of Republic of India. It consists of four professional uniformed services: The Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard.
Careers Options
Women Officers: The army inducts a large number of women candidates into support arms. With the current legal campaigning regarding introduction of permanent commission and pension schemes for women officers, the future of women in army looks brighter than it currently is.
Army Medical Corps (AMC) is an option for healthcare professions. The job involves a regular 9-2 routine interspersed with emergency and night duties.
Army Ordinance Corps (AOC) involved procurement and distribution of supplies such as rations, furniture, equipment etc. A graduate degree is a prerequisite.
Engineers Corps, Corps of Signals, Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME) are some areas where technically qualified women can prove their mettle.
Judge Advocate General is the legal branch of the army and is an ideal work profile for women
Army Education Core (AEC) currently has a large number of women employees who are involved in teaching and training.
Nurses: There is a huge demand for trained and qualified nurses in the Indian armed forces. The Army Nursing Corps is a highly respected branch with lucrative career opportunities for women who want a moderately demanding work profile with added incentives and benefits.
Entry of Women in Armed Forces
Since 1992, women candidates are being inducted into Indian Armed Forces and have shown highest degree of professionalism. Many girls want to be a part of Indian Armed Forces but many of them are not aware of various entries and the eligibility conditions.
* Indian Army
ELIGIBILTY: Girls are only eligible for Officers Training Academy (OTA).
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted twice a year in the month of February and November by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into, Officers Training Academy(OTA).
NCC Special entry: You can write the NCC Special entry exam if you are a NCC Women Cadet and the qualification needed is that the candidate should have 19-25 years of age and the education qualification needed is that the candidate must have completed a Degree with 50% aggregate.
JAG entry: This entry is especially for the law graduates. To be eligible for this entry, you must be having a graduate degree of LLB/LLM with minimum 55% aggregate and the candidate should be registered with Bar Council of India or state.
SSC-Technical Entry: You can apply for it while in final year or after completing your degree. A graduate in any discipline of engineering is eligible to apply for it.
*Indian Air Force
ELIGIBILTY: The air force entry is possible for the girls through the AFCAT-Air Force Common Admission. The candidates should be a graduate from any stream with physics and Maths in 10+2.
Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT): Female candidates who want to fly high in the sky or dream to be an Air Warrior of IAF then they have to clear AFCAT. It is a written exam conducted by Indian Air Force to induct officers in the IAF. It is held twice every year in the month of February and September/August. The written exam is followed by Air Force Selection Board Interview for shortlisted candidates. Those who qualify in this exam are called for SSB interview. You can opt for the following branches by AFCAT exam:
Flying branch: Female candidates have the opportunity to fly transport aircrafts or helicopters but they are not eligible for fighter aircrafts.
To apply for this entry, you should be having a Graduate degree in any discipline from a recognized university with aggregate of 60% marks and have passed Maths and Physics at 10+2 level OR B.E/B.Tech degree from a recognized university with aggregate of minimum 60% marks
Ground Duty (Technical Branch): Female engineering candidates can opt for technical branch. There are two types of technical service whose educational qualification conditions are given below:
Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical): Minimum four year degree course from a recognized university with aggregate of minimum 60% marks and qualification in at least eight subjects out of eighteen as per notified in the of India in regular courses
Aeronautical Engineer (Electrical): Minimum year degree course from a recognized university with aggregate of minimum 60% marks and qualification in at least eight subjects OR cleared Section A and B exam of Associate membership of Institution of engineers or Aeronautical society of India or graduate membership exam of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers in regular courses
Ground Duty (Non-Technical Branch)
If you want to opt for the ground duty branches, the age requirements are different. For graduates: 20 to 23 years, Post Graduates: 20 to 25 years, LLB: 20 to 26 years, M.Ed/ PhD/ CA: 20 to 27 years. There are three types of services in Ground Duty Branches whose educational qualification conditions are given below:
Administration and Logistics: Graduate in any discipline from a recognized university with aggregate of 60% marks OR a Post Graduate degree/ diploma in any discipline from a recognized university with aggregate of minimum 60% marks
Education: Post Graduate degree in any discipline with aggregate of minimum 50% marks
Accounts: Graduate degree in any commerce with aggregate of minimum 60% marks OR a Post Graduate degree/ diploma in Commerce (M Com) / CA / ICWA with aggregate of minimum 50% marks
Non-AFCAT Entry
Meteorology Branch: In this entry, candidates are short-listed and called for SSB interviews at Air Force Selection Boards. To be eligible for this entry you must be having a Post graduate degree in any science stream / Maths / Statistics / Geography / CS / EVS / Physics / Geo-physics etc. with minimum 50% aggregate and have scores 55% marks both in Maths and Physics at graduation level. Final year students can also apply for it.
* Indian Navy
Executive branch
SSC- Air Traffic Controller: You can apply for this entry if you have completed their graduation in any science stream i.e. Physics/Maths/Electronics OR M.Sc with Maths / Physics /Electronics.
SSC- Observer: For applying in this entry, women candidates need to have a graduate degree in any discipline with minimum 55% marks with Maths and Physics at 10+2 level.
SC- Law: This entry is for female Law candidates. To be eligible for this entry you should carry a graduate degree in LAW with minimum 55% marks.
SSC- Logistics: Women candidates who hold B.E/B.Tech in Computers, IT, Architecture, Civil, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, Marine engineering OR graduate with PG diploma in material management are eligible for this entry.
Engineering branch
UES SSC (Naval Architecture): Women engineers carrying the B.E/B.Tech degree in naval architecture / Mechanical / Civil / Aeronautical / Metallurgical / Aerospace engineering with 60% marks can apply for it.
SSC Naval Architecture: Women engineers having B.E/B.Tech degree in Naval architecture / Mechanical / Civil / Aeronautical / Metallurgical / Aerospace engineering with 60% marks can apply for it.
Education Branch: If you have passed B.E/B.Tech in Computer Science, IT, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical OR M.Sc in Physics / Maths / Computer application with atleast 50% marks
*Indian Coast Guard
Women are recruited in Coast Guard only as officers in General duty, General Duty (Pilot / Navigation) and General Duty (CPL Holders, Short Service entry) branches. The selection process for women is similar to that of male candidates.
Assistant Commandant (GD)-SSA- General Duty Branch (Short Service Appointment for a period of 08 years, which may be extended to 10 years and further extendable upto 14 years) 21-25 years of Age (5 years relaxation for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC). You must be having a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline of any recognized university by any Central / State Government / UGC with Mathematics and Physics as subjects upto class XII of 10+2+3 scheme of education.
Assistant Commandant (GC-P/N)- General Duty Branch(Pilot/Navigator). Age limit for this category is 19-27 years (5 years relaxation for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC). You must be having graduation in B.Sc with Physics and Mathematics.
Assistant Commandant (GC-P-CPL)-SSA- General Duty Branch (Pilot – Commercial Pilot License – Short Service Appointment for a period of 08 years, which may be extended to 10 years and further extendable up to 14 years). Age limit is same as Assistant Commandant (GC-P/N). You must be passed with 12th class in 10+2 +3 scheme or equivalent and should possess current Commercial Pilot License on the date of selection.
Deputy Commandant (Law) – Law Branch- Age limit for this branch is Below 45 years (5 years relaxation for Govt. servant).
You must be having a post graduate degree in Law or Knowledge / Experience Assignment connected with International Law/Maritime Law or should be qualified for enrolment as an advocate in a High Court.
Conclusion
India is proud of the fact that women in the Indian services are begun treated in a manner befitting their dignity and self respect. India can rightfully claim to have a record which is far better that that of any advanced nation in the world. Women in uniform have done India proud by rising to three-star rank.
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