Significant reforms have been implemented in the Indian Army in recent years to promote women’s participation, marking a positive step towards gender equality and women’s empowerment in the military. These reforms include opening up combat roles, which were previously reserved for men, to women, among other changes.

In 2016, the Indian Army announced that women would be allowed to serve in combat roles, including infantry, artillery, and armored corps. This decision expanded opportunities for women to actively participate in frontline operations. In 2019, the Corps of Military Police Centre and School in Bengaluru trained the first batch of 100 female soldiers, marking the induction of women into the Indian Army’s military police.

In 2020, the Indian Army further expanded opportunities for women by announcing that they would be allowed to serve as Permanent Commission officers in all ten branches of the army. This decision ensures that female officers have the same opportunities for advancement and promotion as their male counterparts, promoting gender equality in the military.

In addition to combat and officer positions, the Indian Army has also created opportunities for women in signal, engineering, and medical corps, among others. Recently, Captain Deeksha C Mudadevannanavar made headlines as she serves as a Doctor in the PARA Special Forces, and there have been reports that the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy will also start inducting women into their Special Forces units. These developments highlight the ongoing reforms and efforts by the Indian Army to promote gender equality and inclusivity within the organization.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that despite the significant reforms and progress made in recent years, there are still certain barriers that prevent women from reaching the highest leadership positions in the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy. One notable example is the absence of a woman Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, or Chief of Naval Staff. In this article, we will explore some possible reasons for this disparity, keeping in mind that the views and points discussed are personal and based on individual thought processes.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is a crucial leadership position in the Indian Army, held by a four-star general. The COAS serves as the professional head of the ground forces and acts as a key advisor to the Minister of Defence. This position is exclusively held by officers from the Indian Army and is the highest-ranking military officer in the army. The COAS also serves as a member of the National Security Council and provides advice to the President and Prime Minister on matters related to national security. Here is a list of the past and current Chiefs of Army Staff in the Indian Army:

As of now, there have been no female Chiefs of Army Staff in the Indian Army. This can be attributed to the relatively recent induction of women officers into combat arms and broader military leadership positions.

Women officers have been serving in the Indian Army for a maximum of 26 years. However, until 2016, women were not inducted into combat roles such as the armored corps and infantry. It was only in 2016 that the Army announced its decision to induct women into combat roles. Subsequently, in 2020, the Supreme Court ordered that women officers in the Army be given permanent commissions, allowing them to have equal opportunities for career advancement. Another significant milestone was reached in 2021, when it was decided that girls would be admitted to the National Defence Academy (NDA), and currently, 19 girl cadets are undergoing training at the academy. These recent developments indicate progress towards gender equality in the Indian Army, but it may take time for women to reach the highest leadership positions, such as the Chief of Army Staff, due to the years of service and experience required for assuming that role.

If we make a conjecture, it is evident that girls who pass out from the National Defence Academy (NDA) may potentially rise to become top generals in the Indian Army by the time they reach the age of 38, 39, or even 40. In the past, due to restrictions, women officers were not appointed as infantry brigade commanders or divisional commanders, as they lacked the essential experience of growing up in a combat unit. However, there have been recent developments that challenge this notion. For instance, Colonel Geeta Rana, a woman officer from the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), recently assumed command of an independent unit in the sensitive Ladakh sector, which indicates that women are increasingly being entrusted with higher leadership roles in the military, regardless of their branch of service.

Reforms are necessary in any organization to enhance its efficiency and diversity. The Indian Armed Forces, being one of the most esteemed organizations in the world, is implementing reforms that aim to promote gender equality. In the near future, we may witness women serving as Special Forces operators, Core Commanders, Station Commanders, Commanders, and even Chief of Army Staff. However, it will ultimately depend on an individual’s capabilities and aspirations to excel in their chosen path. Serving in the Army is a matter of immense pride, regardless of the rank one holds.