Women to get combat role in Indian Army

In a transformational move, the Indian Army is all set to open up combat positions for women, a gender barrier broken by only a few countries.

Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat said the process is moving fast and initially women will be recruited for positions in military police.

“I am looking at women coming as jawans. I am going to start it soon. Firstly, we will start with women as military



police jawans,” he said.

Women are now allowed in a number of select areas including in medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings of the Army but combat roles are off limits for them due to operational concerns and logistical issues.

The Army Chief said he was ready to recruit women as jawans and the matter is being taken up with the government.