Defense minister Rajnath Singh has approved the provision of maternity leave to female armed forces personnel at par with their officers. Defense minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal to grant maternity, child care and adoption leave to women soldiers, women sailors and women airmen in the armed forces at par with their officers. With these new rules, such leaves will be available equally to all women in the defense forces, whether she is an officer or in any other capacity.
The decision is said to be in line with the Defense Minister's vision of inclusive participation for all women in the Armed Forces, regardless of their ranks. A uniform extension of leave rules to all would benefit all women associated with the armed forces and their dependent families. This move will improve working conditions for women in the army and help them balance career and family life better.
Further strengthening the prime minister Narendra Modi-led government's commitment to empowering women forces, the three forces have reportedly taken a paradigm shift by inducting women. By inducting women Agni warriors, the armed forces will have the courage, dedication and patriotism of women in protecting the country's land, sea and air data-borders.
Indian women are now breaking barriers in all sectors of the armed forces, from women serving in the world's highest battlefield, Siachen, to being commissioned in warships and women dominating the air force. It is noteworthy that in 2019, a significant milestone was achieved in the indian army by inducting women into the Military Police.