Women's Role in Indian Armed Forces
Social Justice & Development
- PYQs7
- Articles1
Background
Relevant to social justice, women empowerment, human resource management in public services, and defence reforms. It reflects evolving societal norms and government policies towards gender equality.
The increasing inclusion of women in combat roles and leadership positions within the Indian Armed Forces signifies a major shift towards gender equality and optimal utilization of human resources, reflecting the nation's commitment to 'Nari Shakti'.
Facts & tables
- Induction
- Women are now inducted into various branches, including permanent commission and combat roles in some services.
- Challenges
- Addressing infrastructural gaps, cultural barriers, and specific operational requirements for full integration.
- Impact
- Promotes gender equality, diversity, and enhances the overall capability and image of the military.
- Government Initiatives
- Policy changes to allow women in NDA, permanent commission, and command appointments.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Social Justice |
| Conceptual area | Gender Equality |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Defence | Formulates policies for women's induction |
| Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force) | Implements policies for women officers |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- All-women expedition highlights 'Nari Shakti'.
- Increasing roles for women in defence.
- Symbolizes gender equality and empowerment.
- Challenges remain in full integration.
- Government push for greater inclusion.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2019 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2017 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2016 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
Timeline
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Social Justice
Conceptual area
-
Gender Equality
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2016
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2017
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2019
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Raksha Mantri flags-in first-ever Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition
The 'Samudra Pradakshina' expedition, being an all-women circumnavigation, exemplifies the growing role and capabilities of women in the Indian Armed Forces, showcasing 'Nari Shakti' and contributing to gender integration in defence.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2016–2024 · 7 questions
In the news
Raksha Mantri flags-in first-ever Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition
The 'Samudra Pradakshina' expedition, being an all-women circumnavigation, exemplifies the growing role and capabilities of women in the Indian Armed Forces, showcasing 'Nari Shakti' and contributing to gender integration in defence.
Try these PYQs
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017?
1. Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-delivery and three months post-delivery paid leave.
2. Enterprises with crèches must allow the mother minimum six crèche visits daily.
3. Women with two children get reduced entitlements.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 has made several significant changes to benefit women employees - Paid maternity leave has been increased to 26 weeks from 12 weeks. - For women expecting after having 2 children, the leave duration remains at 12 weeks. - Establishments employing 50 or more employees must provide a crche facility, and women employees should be allowed to visit the facility 4 times during the day.
With reference to ‘Stand Up India Scheme’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Its purpose is to promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women entrepreneurs.
2. It provides for refinancing through SIDBI.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is Correct: The Stand-up India scheme aims at promoting entrepreneurship among women and scheduled castes and tribes. Statement 2 is Correct: The scheme is anchored by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India. - The scheme provides for a refinance window through Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) with an initial amount of Rs, 10,000 Crore. - Stand-Up India Scheme facilitates bank loans between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 Crore to at least one Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) borrower and at least one woman borrower per bank branch for setting up a greenfield enterprise.
- This enterprise may be in manufacturing, services or the trading sector.
- In the case of non-individual enterprises, at least 51% of the shareholding and controlling stake should be held by either an SC/ST or woman entrepreneur. Hence, option C is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements:
1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of India and the World Health Organization.
2. The National Institute of Urban Affairs is an apex body of the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs in Government
of India and provides innovative solutions to address the challenges of Urban India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. The India Sanitation Coalition was launched on June 25, 2015, at FICCI, New Delhi. ISC is a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together the private sector, government, financial institutions, civil society groups, media, donors/bilateral/multilateral, experts, etc., to work in the sanitation space to drive sustainable sanitation through a partnership model. It is not funded by WHO. Statement 2 is incorrect. The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) is India’s premier urban think tank, shaping the urban narrative since its establishment in 1976, it not an apex body. It is an autonomous body under the Societies Registration Act.
Which of the following gives the ‘Global Gender Gap Index’ ranking to the countries of the world?
The Global Gender Gap Index is an annual report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). It benchmarks progress towards gender parity by measuring the gap between women and men across four dimensions:
- Economic Participation and Opportunity
- Educational Attainment
- Health and Survival
- Political Empowerment
With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013 consider the following statements:
1. The families coming under the category of 'below poverty line (BPL)' only are eligible to receive subsidised grains.
2. The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a take-home ration' of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: In 2013, NFSA was enacted to provide food security to 67% of the population in the form of highly subsidized food grains at Rs. 2 and 3 per Kg for wheat and rice respectively. Beneficiaries are identified using Socio-economic Caste Census (SECC) methodology so even non-BPL will also benefit. Statement 2 is correct: Under the NFSA, to issue ration cards the eldest woman of a household aged 18 years or above would be considered as head. Hence, this statement is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect: Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a nutritious take home ration of 600 Calories and a maternity benefit of at least Rs 6,000 for six months, says the official act.
Show 2 more PYQs
Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana:
1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments.
2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women.
3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.
4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM). It is a central intervention implemented by states, not an intervention of the State Health Departments. Statement 2 is correct: The primary objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by encouraging safe, institutional births. Statement 3 is correct: The scheme provides a cash incentive to mothers to promote institutional delivery, particularly among those from BPL, SC, and ST households. Statement 4 is incorrect: While care for sick infants is a priority under the National Health Mission, the provision of free facilities for sick infants up to one year of age is specifically a feature of the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) launched in 2011. JSY, launched in 2005, is primarily a conditional cash transfer scheme for delivery.
Consider the following statements regarding World Toilet Organization :
1. It is one of the agencies of the United Nations.
2. World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day and World Toilet College are the initiatives of this organization, to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.
3. The main focus of its function is to grant funds to the least developed countries and developing countries to achieve the end of open defecation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
* Statement 1 is incorrect. The World Toilet Organization (WTO) is not an agency of the United Nations. It is an international non-profit organization. * Statement 2 is correct. The WTO is known for its initiatives like World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day, and World Toilet College, all aimed at addressing the global sanitation crisis. * Statement 3 is incorrect. While the WTO advocates for improved sanitation and hygiene, its primary function is not to grant funds. It focuses on advocacy, education, and capacity building to achieve its goals. _Therefore, only statement 2 is correct._