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Writer's pictureNavya Dhawan

Leave benefits for women in armed forces made uniform


Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal to grant maternity, childcare and child adoption leave to women soldiers, sailors, and air warriors on a par with the officers. The Defence Ministry on Sunday said the move was in line with Mr. Singh’s vision of “inclusive participation” of all women in the armed forces, irrespective of their ranks.


It said the measure would improve the working conditions for women in the military as it would help them balance their professional and family lives in a better manner.

At present, women officers get maternity leave of 180 days with full pay for each child, subject to a maximum of two children. Childcare leave of 360 days is granted in total service career (subject to the child being less than 18 years of age) to women officers. Child adoption leave of 180 days is granted after the date of the valid adoption of a child below one year of age, officials said.


“The extension of leave rules will go a long way in dealing with women-specific family and social issues relevant to the armed forces,” the Ministry said.


‘Paradigm Shift’

In line with the Narendra Modi government’s commitment towards utilising “Nari Shakti” (women power), the three services have spearheaded a paradigm shift with the inclusion of women as soldiers, sailors and air warriors, the Ministry said.

“With the recruitment of women Agniveers, the armed forces will be empowered with the bravery, dedication and patriotism of women soldiers, sailors, and air warriors to defend the land, sea, and air frontiers of India,” it said.


From being operationally deployed in Siachen to being posted on warships as well as dominating the skies, Indian women are breaking barriers in almost every field in the armed forces, the Ministry said.


In 2019, a significant milestone was achieved through recruitment of women in the Indian Army as soldiers in the Corps of Military Police, it added.

































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