Women to be inducted in NDA, Centre informs Supreme Court

In a historic move, the Union government on September 8 (Wednesday) informed Supreme Court that it has decided to induct women candidates in National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) for permanent commission into the armed forces. However, the government said that it needs some time to frame the guidelines to pave the way for women candidates to take admission in NDA and NA courses. The Supreme Court has asked Centre to put on record a detailed affidavit on steps being mulled, timelines, etc. by September 20. The case will be heard next on September 22.

The Centre’s decision comes less than a month after the Supreme Court, in a landmark interim order, said women candidates can sit for the NDA 2021 exam, scheduled to be conducted on November 14. The Centre also sought an exemption from allowing women candidates for this year’s paper.

Also Read: NDA eligibility criteria

At present, only male candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 are allowed to appear for NDA exam, conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Those who clear the written exam are required to appear for Service Selection Board (SSB) interview. Based on the performance in the written exam and SSB interview, candidates are inducted into NDA.

NDA written exam comprises two papers-Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. The SSB interview is conducted in two stages. Stage 1 comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT). Stage 2 comprises Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. The total marks allotted to SSB interview are 900. Also Read: NDA Exam Pattern & Syllabus

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