Now, Army allows induction of women in lower ranks

New Delhi, September 8 : In a path-breaking move, the Army has okayed the induction of women into other ranks in the force. Women have been part of the force as officers since 1992; however, the force had not allowed the induction into the ranks.The Army has decided to introduce Women in Corps of Military Police. A proposal is being finalised for induction of approximately 800 women with a yearly intake of 52 per year.The military police is not part of frontline combat duties. However, the military police is used to enforcing discipline in the Army which has its own act to govern service rules. The Army faces an increasing need for investigation against gender-specific allegations and crime, hence the need to have women in other ranks. Women are there in non-officer ranks in the Army Medical Establishments. Meanwhile the Army’s proposal of upgrade of rank structure which will benefit approximately 1.45 lakh other ranks has been approved by the Ministry of Defence. The upgrade is to take place over a span of five years and will endow higher career progression of JCOs and other ranks.