Why Are Women Excluded from Permanent Commission via CDS Exam? Delhi HC Seeks Government Response

The Delhi High Court has sought a detailed response from the central government regarding the exclusion of women candidates from joining the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA) through the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination.

During a hearing on Wednesday, a bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay remarked, "Women officers are not getting permanent jobs in the army. This is a serious matter, and the central government must respond."

The court scheduled the next hearing for November 2025.

Petition Filed Challenging Gender-Based Restrictions

Lawyer Kush Kalra filed the petition challenging gender-specific limitations in the UPSC CDS-II 2025 notification. As per the notification released on May 28, women are allowed to apply only to the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. The petition highlighted that entry into IMA, INA, and AFA remains exclusively available to male candidates.

Difference in Commission Types and Training Durations

IMA, INA, and AFA graduates receive permanent commissions, granting them lifelong careers in the armed forces. Conversely, OTA graduates only receive short-service commissions, lasting ten years with a possible four-year extension. The training at IMA, INA, and AFA extends to approximately 18 months, compared to OTA’s 49-week training.

Petition Claims Constitutional Violations

The petitioner argued that this exclusion violates Article 14 (Right to Equality), Article 16 (Equal Opportunity in Public Employment), and Article 19(1)(g) (Right to Choose Profession) of the Indian Constitution. The petition also cited landmark Supreme Court rulings, including the 2020 judgment allowing women officers equal rights to permanent commissions and command roles, and the 2021 decision that enabled women to appear for the NDA exam.

The petitioner emphasized increasing participation of women in the army, highlighting that their exclusion from complete participation in CDS is discriminatory and unjustified.

Combat Role Restrictions Still in Effect

Under current army policies, women are restricted to non-combat roles and thus limited to recruitment only at OTA. Women are yet to be included in IMA and INA training, restricting their opportunities in direct combat roles.

The court awaits the government’s clarification on these points at the next scheduled hearing.