Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Supreme Court passed an interim order allowing women to take the admission exam to National Defence Academy (NDA) where only men can join.
According to the reports, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, argued that it is a policy decision of the government. Disagreeing with Centre’s contention, a bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hrishikesh Roy observed, “This is a policy decision based on gender discrimination…respondents (Centre), must take a constructive view.”
The top court also pulled up the Army for resisting opportunities to women and asked it to change its attitude and not wait for judicial orders to be passed in such matters. The top court directed that women can sit for exams for entry in NDA, which is slated for September 5.
Further, in a fresh application, the petitioner pointed out that UPSC on June 9, 2021, had issued a notice declaring the date of examination for admission to the Army, Navy, Air Force wings of the NDA. The application said the examination notice is in complete violation of Articles 14, 15, 16 and 19 of the Constitution. It pointed out that notice categorically states a condition for eligibility for the examination, that the candidate must be an unmarried male, which excludes eligible and willing female candidates.
