Is the Indian Army Ready for Women in Leadership Roles?
3 weeks, 2 days ago

Is the Indian Army Ready for Women in Leadership Roles?

The Hindu  

Published : Dec 18, 2024 18:42 IST - 8 MINS READ It all began with a letter by a top Army officer that was “leaked” to social media. The “double standards of competence” leadership model suggests that because historically men have had access to leadership roles, women leaders must be outstandingly qualified to succeed. “Lieutenant General Puri’s letter essentialises leadership traits based on gender, especially in a sector such as the armed forces which opened its doors to women officers only recently. What Lieutenant General Puri’s letter has done is to essentialise leadership traits based on gender, especially in a sector such as the armed forces which opened its doors to women officers only recently. Lieutenant General Puri’s criticism of the tendency of women COs “to over-celebrate minor accomplishments, that may skew leadership dynamics and foster a need for constant validation”, only betrays his gender bias.

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History of this topic

The gender conundrum
1 month ago

The gender conundrum

New Indian Express  

CHENNAI: In early October, lieutenant general Rajeev Puri of the Indian Army wrote a five-page letter to his senior, general officer commanding-in-chief lieutenant general Ram Chander Tiwari, appraising the work of eight women colonels under his authority. It was not even two years ago that the Indian Army allowed women officers to be promoted to the rank of colonel, and …

Syed Ata Hasnain | Women in command: Key for Army is how to adapt
1 month ago

Syed Ata Hasnain | Women in command: Key for Army is how to adapt

Deccan Chronicle  

Gender issues in the Army must be seen as a constant work in progress without attaching sensitivity to them. So, nothing is going to happen in a hurry without a full run of the policy through one or two command tenures of the incumbent and subsequent women commanding officers ; that could run as long as five to six years, …

Letter on women COs shows how some Army officers are stuck in a time warp
1 month, 1 week ago

Letter on women COs shows how some Army officers are stuck in a time warp

Times of India  

Earlier this week, the media exploded with the contents of a demi-official letter written by a general officer commanding of a corps of the Indian Army to his superior on the subject of women officers. The good general stated that eight women commanding officers were serving under his command and an “in-house” study had been carried out on their performance …

How a Corps commander’s concerns could foster a more inclusive Indian Army
1 month, 2 weeks ago

How a Corps commander’s concerns could foster a more inclusive Indian Army

Firstpost  

While a Corps Commander’s concerns about women officers highlight current challenges, they also present an opportunity to strengthen inclusivity and leadership within the Indian Army Vice Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani presents Officers Training Academy gold medal to BUO Simran Singh Rathi during the 'Passing out Parade' of cadets at OTA, in Chennai on September 7, …

Do women commanders in army face training gap? Leaked letter sparks debate
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Do women commanders in army face training gap? Leaked letter sparks debate

India Today  

A leaked letter by a senior Indian Army officer to his superior has sparked an intense debate over the challenges women officers face in commanding roles. The five-page letter, dated October 1, 2024, on “command by women officers” cites an “in-house review” by the army’s Panagarh-based 17 Mountain Strike Corps. An Indian Army officer termed the so-called challenges involving women …

‘Lack of empathy, entitlement’: Why review of women officers in Indian Army has raised eyebrows
1 month, 2 weeks ago

‘Lack of empathy, entitlement’: Why review of women officers in Indian Army has raised eyebrows

Firstpost  

In a five-page letter, Lt General Rajeev Puri has voiced his concerns about the performance of women commanding officers in the Indian Army. According to Lt General Rajeev Puri, the outgoing Corps Commander of the 17 Corps, women commanding officers’ had various leadership shortcomings, including poor “interpersonal relations”, an “exaggerated tendency to complain” and a “lack of empathy” for officers …

'Ego issues': Army officer's review of women commanding officers sparks debate
1 month, 2 weeks ago

'Ego issues': Army officer's review of women commanding officers sparks debate

India Today  

A top Army officer has raised significant concerns in his review of women Commanding Officers, flagging "ego issues", "frequent complaints", and "lack of empathy". KEY OBSERVATIONS IN THE REPORT Interpersonal challenges Lt Gen Puri highlighted increased officer management issues in units led by women COs, citing a lack of tact and sensitivity towards the personal needs of officers and subordinates. …

Fewer women in corporate leadership roles, judiciary, says report
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Fewer women in corporate leadership roles, judiciary, says report

The Hindu  

The representation of women in corporate decision-making roles remains inadequate with only 34,879 women holding senior management positions in 2023 as compared to 1,86,946 men. In other managerial positions in corporate firms, there were 7,38,949 women as compared to 18,60,348 men, the data sourced from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for the report shows. Though the number of women in …

Women’s leadership in corporate India
5 months ago

Women’s leadership in corporate India

Hindustan Times  

A decade ago, the Companies Act of 2013 and the Securities and Exchange Board of India 's 2014 rules sparked hope for significant shifts in corporate leadership demographics. In India, the landscape is varied: Financial services and technology sectors see around 19% female representation in senior roles, whereas education and government administration boast higher figures at 30% and 28.7% respectively. …

India is halfway there towards enabling female political leadership. What next?
8 months, 3 weeks ago

India is halfway there towards enabling female political leadership. What next?

Hindustan Times  

India stands at a pivotal moment. This silent shift holds immense potential for democratising power structures and designing new systems at both institutional and individual levels across rural India and beyond. So, the question before us now is, with the increase in the number of women assuming leadership positions of local governing bodies in rural India, will we witness authentic …

Women in leadership: Overcoming stereotypes, embracing authenticity
10 months, 1 week ago

Women in leadership: Overcoming stereotypes, embracing authenticity

Hindustan Times  

Furthermore, technological advances expanding remote and gig working also provide more flexible work options to balance career and family. Common misconceptions that construct barriers include: Women continue to be under-represented in leadership roles across industries, with significant gender disparities persisting at the C-suite levels and in boardrooms around the world. PREMIUM Working women {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} Women continue to …

Women in leadership: Overcoming stereotypes, embracing authenticity
10 months, 1 week ago

Women in leadership: Overcoming stereotypes, embracing authenticity

Hindustan Times  

Women continue to be under-represented in leadership roles across industries, with significant gender disparities persisting at the C-suite levels and in boardrooms around the world. The under-representation of women in leadership roles does not stem from a lack of competence but from deeply entrenched stereotypes around gender roles. Common misconceptions that construct barriers include: • Women are too emotional for …

Flight to equality: charting a course for women in aviation sector
11 months ago

Flight to equality: charting a course for women in aviation sector

The Hindu  

The under-representation of women, especially in leadership roles in India, has been a long-debated issue. While the country has the highest ratio of women airline pilots in the world at 15%, there is not enough female representation in other sectors such as aeronautical engineering, airport management jobs, air traffic control and leadership roles, said aviation professionals at a round-table on …

Indian Aviation Booms, Reaches 94% Pre-Covid Levels
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Indian Aviation Booms, Reaches 94% Pre-Covid Levels

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: Mr Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary of Civil Aviation, Govt of India yesterday while addressing the panel discussion on ‘Travel & Tourism—Positioning India as a Prime Destination and Market: Charting the Future of Travel and Tourism’ said that Indian travel and tourism sector is witnessing tremendous growth. Participating in the panel, on day two of ‘WINGS INDIA 2024’, organised by the …

Year-ender 2023: 10 women who created history in Indian defence forces this year
1 year ago

Year-ender 2023: 10 women who created history in Indian defence forces this year

Live Mint  

From receiving a gallantry award to taking charge of key roles in combat unit — women in the Indian defence forces continued to break the glass ceiling in 2023. Commander Prerna Deosthalee is set to be the first woman officer of the Indian Navy to command the Indian Naval Warship, the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet posted on X in December. …

HTLS | Military has come long way in gender integration, say women trailblazers
1 year, 2 months ago

HTLS | Military has come long way in gender integration, say women trailblazers

Hindustan Times  

The armed forces have come a long way in advancing gender integration and the raft of new opportunities opened to female soldiers will increase their representation in the military in the coming years, said women trailblazers in the army, air force and navy. Women officers, Colonel Neha Singh, Group Captain Shaliza Dhami and Lieutenant Commander Annu Prakash during a session …

How To Correct Gender Imbalance In Indian Armed Forces | HTLS 2023
1 year, 2 months ago

How To Correct Gender Imbalance In Indian Armed Forces | HTLS 2023

Hindustan Times  

How To Correct Gender Imbalance In Indian Armed Forces | HTLS 2023 Colonel Neha Singh, Indian Army, Lt. Commander Annu Prakash, Indian Navy and Group Captain Shaliza Dhami, Indian Air Force spoke at HTLS 2023. The women officers offered their suggestions on how to correct the gender imbalance in the armed forces while speaking to HT'S Rahul Singh. Join Us …

Promotion of women officers: Supreme Court says it cannot run affairs of Indian Army
1 year, 3 months ago

Promotion of women officers: Supreme Court says it cannot run affairs of Indian Army

India Today  

The Supreme Court on Friday said it can intervene on the point of law but cannot run the affairs of the Indian Army. The top court made the observation during the hearing of a plea that alleged discrimination against women officers when it came to giving command over Army units. READ | Not fair to women officers, says SC over …

HT G20 Agenda: Why the world needs more women in leadership roles
1 year, 5 months ago

HT G20 Agenda: Why the world needs more women in leadership roles

Hindustan Times  

The representation of women continues to remain low in different professional spheres, including academics and judiciary, and there is a need to bring more women in leadership roles, experts said during a panel discussion held at HT’s G20 event on “Women-led development” on Monday. From left: Senior advocate Madhavi Divan, UN Women Representative for India Susan Ferguson, former chief justice …

Mid-career women struggle without mentors
1 year, 6 months ago

Mid-career women struggle without mentors

Live Mint  

A mentor-mentee relationship usually brings to mind the image of a fresher working with an older colleague or a supervisor, who acts as a guide to get them started on their career path. In a new study, ‘Comparing barriers and enablers of women’s health leadership in India with East Africa and North America’, published in The Lancet in June, the …

Historic day! 5 women officers commissioned into Indian Army's Regiment of Artillery
1 year, 8 months ago

Historic day! 5 women officers commissioned into Indian Army's Regiment of Artillery

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: In a historic first, the Indian Army has inducted five women officers into its Regiment of Artillery and three of them have been posted to frontline formations along the Line of Actual Control with China, military sources said on Saturday. Lt Mehak Saini, Lt Sakshi Dubey, Lt Aditi Yadav, Lt Pious Mudgil and Lt Akanksha have joined the …

In historic first, five women cadets commissioned into army’s artillery regiment
1 year, 8 months ago

In historic first, five women cadets commissioned into army’s artillery regiment

The Hindu  

Five cadets of the Officers Training Academy, Chennai made history on Saturday when they became the first women inducted into the Indian Army’s Regiment of Artillery at their passing out parade. Lt. General Adosh Kumar, colonel commandant and director general of Artillery called it a momentous occasion and said that the regiment had full confidence in the Women Officers. “More …

First Batch of Women Officers Commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army
1 year, 8 months ago

First Batch of Women Officers Commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army

India TV News  

The Indian Army has expanded the role of women by allowing women officers into the Regiment of Artillery, which is a major combat support arm. Five Women Officers have joined the Regiment of Artillery after successful completion of training at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai on April 29, 2023. Five Women Officers being commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery are …

Beating All Odds: Ladakh’s First Woman Army Officer, Fulfilling Her Late Husband’s Dreams, Honoured
1 year, 9 months ago

Beating All Odds: Ladakh’s First Woman Army Officer, Fulfilling Her Late Husband’s Dreams, Honoured

News 18  

Raising her 15-month-old child and fulfilling her late husband’s wish, Lieutenant Rigzin Chorol, the first woman officer from Ladakh, was honoured by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday. The Northern Command tweeted on Tuesday, “Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi commended Lieutenant Rigzin Chorol for beating all odds and becoming first woman officer from Ladakh and realising …

India's Iron Ladies: 5 Women Warriors from The Army Share Their Inspiring Tales
1 year, 10 months ago

India's Iron Ladies: 5 Women Warriors from The Army Share Their Inspiring Tales

News 18  

They have accomplished the unthinkable and shattered the glass ceiling beyond recognition while answering the country’s call of duty. Major Abhilasha Barak, Army’s First Woman Combat Aviator Major Barak, being posted in the most complex region of the world with conflict of decades…what is the experience like? Capt Shiva Chouhan, First Woman Officer Deployed in Siachen Tell us about your …

Women trailblazers hail army for opening new frontiers
1 year, 10 months ago

Women trailblazers hail army for opening new frontiers

Hindustan Times  

Several women officers, who are trailblazers in the Indian Army and serving in challenging roles, believe that the army is opening new frontiers for women at a swift pace, and grooming them to hold leadership positions in select streams on a par with their male counterparts. The army has begun assigning women officers to command roles for the first time, …

Around 50 women officers set to head army units in forward areas
1 year, 10 months ago

Around 50 women officers set to head army units in forward areas

Hindustan Times  

The Indian Army has begun assigning women officers to command roles for the first time, outside the medical stream, and around 50 of them are set to head units in operational areas, including forward locations, in the operationally critical Northern and Eastern Commands that are responsible for guarding India’s borders with China, officials familiar with the development said on Tuesday. …

Indian Army: At least 108 lady officers to be promoted to full Colonel rank for command role
1 year, 11 months ago

Indian Army: At least 108 lady officers to be promoted to full Colonel rank for command role

India TV News  

Indian Army: In order to bring lady officers at par with their male counterparts, the Indian Army is conducting Special Selection Board for promotion from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel. In an attempt to ensure gender parity in Indian Army, the vacancies for this Special No 3 Selection Board have been released by the government to promote the …

Women officers would be commissioned into the Army’s Artillery regiment: Army Chief Manoj Pande
1 year, 11 months ago

Women officers would be commissioned into the Army’s Artillery regiment: Army Chief Manoj Pande

India TV News  

The Indian Army will commission female officers into the Artillery regiment and the proposal has been sent to the government, Army Chief General Manoj Pande informed on Thursday. At a press conference ahead of the Army Day, Gen Pande also said that the troops deployed along the Line of Actual Control have been able to maintain a robust posture to …

Army to promote 108 women officers to Colonel rank in different branches
2 years ago

Army to promote 108 women officers to Colonel rank in different branches

India Today  

In a major victory for women officers, 108 of them would be promoted to the rank of Colonels in the Indian Army and the process for the same would be initiated from Monday. This is the first time that women officers would be selected for command roles in the Indian Army in branches including Engineers, Military Intelligence, Army Air Defence, …

After Supreme Court's Cautioning, Indian Army Agrees To Have SSB For Promotion Of Women Army Officers
2 years ago

After Supreme Court's Cautioning, Indian Army Agrees To Have SSB For Promotion Of Women Army Officers

Live Law  

On 13 December, the Indian Army informed the Supreme Court of India that special selection board for the women officers in the Army will be commencing from 9 January 2023, when cases of approximately 246 women officers will be heard. The information was provided to a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha by the Army responding …

A watershed moment for women in the navy
2 years ago

A watershed moment for women in the navy

Hindustan Times  

The Indian Navy has allowed women to enrol in all of its wings and said women officers could volunteer for the elite marine commando forces. The inclusion of women in the armed forces has been a remarkable, if laborious, journey spanning 30 years from 1992 — when the first trickle of women officers in auxiliary services began. It has taken …

'Set Your House In Order': Supreme Court Says Army Not Being Fair To Women Officers In Giving Promotion
2 years, 1 month ago

'Set Your House In Order': Supreme Court Says Army Not Being Fair To Women Officers In Giving Promotion

Live Law  

In an application filed in a plea seeking rank promotion for women army officers, the Supreme Court, on Friday, cautioned the Army authorities that it would pass peremptory order to ensure promotion of women army officers. Narasimha conveyed the message to the Additional Solicitor General, Mr. Sanjay Jain appearing in the matter, that the Army authorities should set their house …

Not fair to women officers, says SC over delays of promotion in Army
2 years, 1 month ago

Not fair to women officers, says SC over delays of promotion in Army

India Today  

A Supreme Court bench on Friday directed Army authorities to halt giving placements to the male officers who were granted promotion in October until the issue of promotion of women officers has been cleared. This comes after 34 women officers of various arms of the Indian Army approached the apex court claiming that women officers are not being considered for …

As PM Backs 'Nari Shakti' on I-Day, Female Industry Leaders Speak on Gender Gap, The Change
2 years, 4 months ago

As PM Backs 'Nari Shakti' on I-Day, Female Industry Leaders Speak on Gender Gap, The Change

News 18  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the nation on the 75th anniversary of India’s independence from the Red Fort on Monday underscored that empowering women is crucial for the growth of the country, which is currently in the decade of digital revolution and innovations. As per Rawat, the gender divide starts with “culture, outlook and Indian value system of looking …

How to get ready to be a leader
2 years, 6 months ago

How to get ready to be a leader

Live Mint  

I dislike the term ‘women leaders’. Sometimes, leadership roles come up unexpectedly or under adverse circumstances and the requirementis to find a capable leader to take charge of the team, even if she/he comes from a somewhat differentfunctional area. However, italso involves a high degree of learning in a short period of time to get to some level of subject …

India expresses concern about discriminatory, inferior status accorded to women in Afghanistan
2 years, 6 months ago

India expresses concern about discriminatory, inferior status accorded to women in Afghanistan

India Today  

India on Wednesday expressed its concern about the discriminatory inferior status accorded to women in Afghan society which has adversely impacted the education of girls in the war-torn country, while underlining the need for the Security Council to focus its attention on consequences of terrorism on the rights of women. Addressing the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women and …

Women Officers Appointed on Board Major Warships: Navy Chief
3 years, 1 month ago

Women Officers Appointed on Board Major Warships: Navy Chief

News 18  

Women officers have been appointed on board major warships of the Indian Navy, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar said on Friday. Officials said around 28 women officers have been deployed so far in 15 major warships of the Indian Navy and the number is going to go up soon. Addressing a press conference ahead of Navy Day, …

Women in our Armed Forces: A Story of Tokenism and Half-Baked Decisions
3 years, 2 months ago

Women in our Armed Forces: A Story of Tokenism and Half-Baked Decisions

The Quint  

The recent Supreme Court order forcing our government’s hand in opening the doors of the National Defence Academy to women candidates has left me with mixed feelings. I am in support of giving full opportunity to women to participate in and shoulder the responsibility for the defence of their country on an ‘equal footing’ with men, and to that extent, …

Induction of women in NDA first step towards gender equality in armed forces, says Army chief
3 years, 2 months ago

Induction of women in NDA first step towards gender equality in armed forces, says Army chief

Firstpost  

General Naravane said induction of women will empower them and at least 40 years later, they will be in the same position where he currently stands Pune: Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane on Friday said as the National Defence Academy opens its doors for women cadets, it is expected that they are welcomed with the same sense …

Data | Women make up only 12% of India's police force
3 years, 4 months ago

Data | Women make up only 12% of India's police force

The Hindu  

Only 12% of the Indian police were women as of 2020. Share of women in police The map shows the share of women in the civil police force in 2020. Click to remove AMP mode Women in higher ranks While 12% of the police force were women, their share in the higher ranks was even lower at 8.72%. Poor support …

Indian Army promotes five women officers in three key corps to time-scale Colonel rank after 26 years of ‘reckonable service’
3 years, 4 months ago

Indian Army promotes five women officers in three key corps to time-scale Colonel rank after 26 years of ‘reckonable service’

The Hindu  

In yet another victory in the quest for equal opportunities for women in the Indian Army, a Services Selection Board of the Army has cleared the way for the time-scale promotion of five women officers to full Colonel rank in three key corps. Previously, promotion to the rank of Colonel was only applicable for women officers in the Army Medical …

Indian Army gets its first batch of 83 women soldiers, in the Corps of Military Police
3 years, 8 months ago

Indian Army gets its first batch of 83 women soldiers, in the Corps of Military Police

The Hindu  

Women have just shattered yet another glass ceiling in the male-dominated, 1.3 million strong, Indian armed forces. On May 8, after a low-key attestation parade held at the Corps of Military Police Centre and School’s Dronacharya Parade Ground in Bengaluru, India got its first-ever batch of 83 women jawans. Inducted into the Indian Army’s Corps of Military Police, the 83 …

Future is Female, But Why are Women Leaders Missing from India's Political Arena?
3 years, 10 months ago

Future is Female, But Why are Women Leaders Missing from India's Political Arena?

News 18  

The recent election of Kamala Harris as the first woman vice president of America has ignited the aspirations of countless women in politics globally. This pattern is also reflected at the national level, where even without reservations, 42% of female MPs come from political families compared to 15% of male candidates. While female voter turnout has equalized that of men …

Victory in a long battle for equal opportunities
4 years, 4 months ago

Victory in a long battle for equal opportunities

The Hindu  

This year shall be remembered as a landmark in Indian military history for years to come. The Supreme Court of India, on February 17, delivered a much-anticipated ruling that allows women to serve as permanently commissioned officers in 10 combat support arms and services of the Indian Army. This July, the government issued formal sanction offering PC to women officers …

Permanent Commission for women officers fair; with army's selection standard, equal command structure is viable
4 years, 5 months ago

Permanent Commission for women officers fair; with army's selection standard, equal command structure is viable

Firstpost  

There is much debate on social media and opinion within the Army is divided. An implication of only SSC and no permanent commission for women officers was always that career opportunity was limited and women officers were ineligible for consideration for the first select rank of Colonel. It means many of the women officers awaiting the judgment and having crossed …

Govt sanctions permanent commission to women officers in all 10 streams of Indian Army
4 years, 5 months ago

Govt sanctions permanent commission to women officers in all 10 streams of Indian Army

India Today  

The Ministry of Defence has issued a formal sanction letter to grant permanent commission to women officers in the Indian Army. Earlier this month, Supreme Court had given the Centre one month’s time to follow the court’s orders on giving permanent commission to all serving SSC women officers in the Indian Army. The order specifies grant of permanent commission to …

A force to reckon with
4 years, 9 months ago

A force to reckon with

Deccan Chronicle  

When 26-year-old Captain Tania Shergill led an all-men marching contingent of the Corps of Signals at the Republic Day parade this year, the nation collectively hailed her as a symbol of ‘Nari Shakti’. There are roles in services and combat support arms like Signals, Army Air Defence, and Engineers where women officers are performing commendably,” says Col Amardeep Singh, Sena …

Women officers in the Indian Army: A bastion breached
4 years, 10 months ago

Women officers in the Indian Army: A bastion breached

The Hindu  

“The right to equality is a right to rationality,” observed a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court on February 17 while ruling on the appointment of women officers in permanent commissions of the Indian Army and in command positions. On the 2003 petition, the Delhi High Court ruled in March 2010 that women officers were entitled to permanent commissions on …

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