Indian Army to Have 2,000 Women Officers Near Future, says Army Chief General

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 14 January 2025

• Chief General Upendra Dwivedi defends Women Officers' Progression to Command Units
• Indian Army to have 2000 Women Officers
• Chief General Dwivedi says Need Women Officers as ‘Kali Mata ka Roop’

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi defended the progression of women officers to command units, stating they are performing exceptionally well. He dismissed concerns raised by a retired Lieutenant General about women officers lacking officer management skills and empathy, stating the Army is committed to a gender-neutral approach. This comes after a letter from retired Lieutenant General Rajeev Puri claiming women lack officer management and empathy.

Chief General Upendra further stated that the Indian Army looks at having 2,000 women officers in the near future, with a change in the law to recruit women as ordinary soldiers. Currently, there are 1,732 women officers, but the number is expected to increase to 2,037 within a few years. Around 60 women cadets are training at the National Defence Academy in Pune and 20 selected cadets will be recruited. Meanwhile, the Officers Training Academy in Chennai and Gaya will have 120 women officers each year.

The Chief General stated "As far as the Indian Army is concerned, we want strong women officers. So, what does it mean? Kali Mata ka Roop (Kali Mata's Embodiment), maybe. We have to have a gender-neutral approach in the conduct. The physical parameters for recruitment will be nearly the same as men."

On the concerns raised by General Puri, Chief General Upendra said that it was his perception and a factual statement. He emphasized that the process of making commanding officers was accelerated based on Supreme Court orders. He said that women officers were allowed "lots of exceptions" compared to male officers. He stated that the Army has 115 current commanding officers, with 18 more being improved. Chief General praised the mature, considerate, and kind nature of women officers.