The Indian Defence Minister has recently given the green light to a proposal promoting equal rights for women in the Armed Forces. This crucial decision aims to provide an inclusive environment by extending maternity, child care and child adoption leave benefits to women soldiers, sailors and air warriors, aligning them with their officer counterparts.
About the Extension of Benefits
The extension of rules for maternity, child care and child adoption leave for women operating in the military marks a significant step towards equity. Earlier, these benefits were limited to officers. The current policy allows women officers 180 days of maternity leave, 360 days of child care leave and 180 days of child adoption leave. These benefits will now apply equally to female soldiers, sailors and air warriors.
Notably, these benefits are available only to those women who form the top 25% of Agniveers, selected after a rigorous four-year term. The Agnipath scheme, which is responsible for recruiting these women, insists that they remain unmarried throughout their four-year tenure.
The extension of leave rules is designed not only to help military women navigate family and social issues specific to the Armed Forces but also to enhance their working conditions. It is intended to support them in striking a better work-life balance.
Initial Involvement of Women in the Indian Armed Forces
The participation of women in the Indian Armed Forces has steadily increased over recent years. Both the Indian Air Force and Navy began recruiting women into their ranks following the introduction of the Agnipath military recruitment scheme in 2022. Prior to this, women were admitted to the Corps of Military Police (CMP) in 2019 and are currently included as Agniveers in the CMP.
Overview of the Agnipath Military Recruitment Scheme
The Agnipath scheme offers young patriots an opportunity to serve in the Armed Forces. Participants, known as Agniveers, undertake a four-year term annually, with an intake of around 45,000 to 50,000 recruits. After the initial term, a selective 25% of the batch is awarded a 15-year service extension in their respective services.
This scheme is exclusively available to non-commissioned personnel below officer ranks. The eligibility criteria set for aspirants is an age bracket between 17.5 and 23 years.
Benefits for Agniveers
On completion of the four years of service, Agniveers receive a one-time ‘Seva Nidhi’ package amounting to Rs 11.71 lakhs, inclusive of their accrued interest. Additionally, they are also entitled to a Rs 48 lakh life insurance cover for their tenure. In the unfortunate event of a soldier’s death, the payout exceeds Rs 1 crore, accounting for pay for the unserved period.
The government takes proactive steps to help rehabilitate soldiers who leave the services after their four-year term. They are given skill certificates and bridge courses, which are useful tools for transitioning back into civilian life. This approach undoubtedly makes the Indian Armed Forces an attractive professional option for women who aim to serve their nation.
