For The First Time In History, Indian Army To Recruit Women In Military Police

The representation of women in the Indian Army, at present, is limited. They are allowed only in select areas of the force such as medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings of the Army.

Even in Bollywood films, such is the case. After we moved past the Border and LOC Kargil phase of Hindi cinema that showed women in the roles of the mother or wife or fiance of the soldier, the industry started showing women as agents and spies in movies like Uri: The Surgical Strike and Ek Tha Tiger. While that was progress, it still wasn’t enough as women were never shown as jawaans fighting the war–that role was reserved for the male actors to glorify. Thanks to the Indian Army, all that is going to change now.

For the first time ever, the Indian Army hosted a rally to recruit women as Soldier General Duty in the army’s military police in the non-commissioned ranks. The first rally took place today in Belgaum, Karnataka, and will continue till August 5. Candidates from Southern states of Andhra, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and also from Union Territories of Lakshadweep, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands will participate in this five-day long rally.

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Around 15,000 candidates had registered from the mentioned states, out of which 3,000 were shortlisted based on their matriculation score. The fact that so many women are willing to join the force is commendable enough. Let’s get into the details about the same.

What Does ‘Military Police’ Mean?

According to a report by the Asian Age, the role of the military police includes:

1. Policing cantonments and army establishments.
2. Preventing breaches of rules and regulations by soldiers.
3. Maintaining movement of soldiers as well as logistics during times of peace and war.
4. Extending aid to civil police whenever required.

Some 100 PAN-India vacancies for women have been released in this category this year. These will remain open for the next five years to meet the Indian Army requirements.

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What Happens To The Candidates Next?

After initial scrutiny of candidates to match the Army’s requirements, these 3,000 shortlisted candidates will have to pass physical fitness tests in which they will have to, first, run a timed distance of 1.6 kilometres and, second, qualify in the 10-feet long jump and three-feet high jump. 

Thereafter, candidates will undergo a physical measurement test in which height and weight will be measured.

Those who successfully clear these two tests will then undergo medical exams conducted by a team of doctors from the Army Medical Corps at Military Hospital.

Post this, candidates who make it this far will be eligible to sit for the written test at the Army Recruiting Office. The said exam will take place on 27 October 2019.

“Successful candidates as per merit list drawn would be enrolled into Corps of Military Police in December 2019,” said sources.

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It’s a big day for women in India and an opportunity for those who dream of serving their country. Congratulations to us all!

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