Delhi HC seeks Centre’s reply on plea for women’s entry in armed forces via CDS

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Centre on a petition seeking direction for allowing women’s entry into the armed forces through the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued notice to the Centre and sought its response on the plea.

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The petition, filed by one Kush Kalra, said, “If women are denied entry in armed forces through CDS, country would be deprived of officers like Col. Sofiya Qureshi, who gained national attention during Operation Sindoor”.

The petition contended that not allowing women in the armed forces through CDS was a violation of the fundamental right to practise any profession, as granted under the Constitution.

“A career as a permanent commissioned officer of the armed forces is considered to be one of the most respected and exciting professions in India, prohibition on women to apply for this profession violates their right to practice profession,” it claimed.