The Indian military has made rapid advances in the recent decades with increasing number of women officers in the armed forces. The women officers are making progress in the male-dominated armed forces and have representation in all the roles except combat in all the three services.
In a major push towards inclusion of women, the government has also taken significant steps to increase the percentage ratio of women officers and other ranks. Currently, women are serving in Officer’s cadre in the Indian Air Force (IAF), where their strength is 1,636; and in the Indian Navy, where their strength is 748.
Amid the recent push towards women empowerment, Kangana Ranaut starrer ‘Tejas’ features the story of a fictitious character Tejas Gill— a woman pilot in the Indian Air Force who flies the indigenously built Tejas fighter aircraft to valiantly strike at India’s enemies.
All About ‘Tejas’ Movie
In the movie ‘Tejas’, set to hit the theatres on October 27, Kangana Ranaut is playing the role of an Air Force pilot who is on a mission to fight terrorism. Kangana has reportedly dedicated four months to rigorous training to master the specialised combat techniques employed by the Indian forces, for her film.
The movie is being endorsed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan who watched the movie at a special screening. The trailer of this action movie depicts a motivated and able woman IAF officer who is determined to not be bound be gender-based barriers and seeks to fight the enemy at the frontlines.
It sheds light on the long-standing movement for the inclusion of women in the male-dominated Indian military, and the forces’ efforts to build a gender inclusive work and training environment free from biases and harassment.
Produced by RSVP, the film boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Anshul Chauhan, Varun Mitra, Ashish Vidyarthi, and Vishak Nair in pivotal roles. The movie is directed by Sarvesh Mewara and produced by Ronnie Screwvala.
Women in the Indian Army
Women have made significant strides in the Indian Armed Forces in the last decade marking a commendable shift towards gender equality in defence roles. Women are also being inducted as Agniveers under the new Agnipath scheme.
Currently, over 7000 women are serving in the Indian Army which started inducting women in 1992 where they were commissioned for five years in certain chosen streams such as the Army Education Corps, Corps of Signals, Intelligence Corps, and Corps of Engineers.
In 2020, a Supreme Court judgement ended a long battle for gender parity as it finally called for permanent commissioning of women officers and allowing them command positions. The directives are currently being implemented by the government and military forces. That means more female colonels, lieutenant generals in the Army.
Women in the Indian Air Force
Women officers have been inducted in all branches and streams of Indian Air Force where they are flying fighter aircraft and operating from across the country in all branches of the IAF. The Indian Air Force too has made significant strides in gender inclusion. The strength of women officers, as of March 2023, in the IAF is 1,636.
The first female officer, Vijayalakshmi Ramanan, initially served in the Army Medical Corps before joining the Air Force, retiring as a Wing Commander in 1979. In May, 2019, Bhawana Kanth became the first woman fighter pilot qualified for combat missions. Avani Chaturvedi, Mohana Singh Jitarwal, and Bhawana Kanth were the first three women fighter pilots. They were awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar on International Women’s Day in 2020.
Wing Commander Shaliza Dhami was the first woman to receive a permanent commission in the Indian Air Force, and Squadron Leader Minty Agarwal received the Yudh Seva Medal, marking further milestones in women’s achievements in the IAF.
Women in the Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is not far behind as the strength of women officers in the service as of March 2023, is 748 including Medical and Dental officers.
In December 2019, Sub-lieutenant Shubhangi Swaroop made history by becoming the first woman pilot for the Indian Navy, with a role in flying the Dornier 228 surveillance aircraft.
In September 2020, another milestone was reached when two women officers, Sub Lieutenants Kumudini Tyagi and Riti Singh, were deployed onboard warships for the first time. Their role was as airborne tacticians operating from the deck of warships.
In August 2021, Surgeon Vice Admiral Sheila S Mathai achieved a significant feat by becoming the fourth woman to be promoted to a three-star rank and the first direct navy woman vice-admiral.
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