NEW DELHI: General Upendra Dwivedi said on Tuesday the Army is ready to induct women in the infantry but that is contingent on societal acceptance.Stressing that women should not be seen as a “vulnerable commodity”, the General, during a media briefing, said the Army’s focus is on “gender neutrality”. “If standards are same, if capabilities are same, and in India as a nation, society is ready to accept it, it (combat role) can be done tomorrow,” he said.He said uniform standards are essential, but achieving them remains a challenge due to medical and operational constraints. Gen Dwivedi said performance data of women officers will determine the opening of more roles, starting with supporting arms, followed by combat arms and eventually special forces, calling it a “sequential and welcome social change.”Giving an estimate of the number of women in the Army currently, the Army chief had last year said, “In the NDA as of today, we have 60 women Army cadets and every year, we are looking at (inducting) 20 cadets. Also, in the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)—Chennai and Gaya—we are looking at 120 per year.” When it comes to inducting women in the other ranks (ORs), it involves a change in Section 12 of the Army Act, he had said. The Army was looking at a 12 times increase in women’s induction in ORs by 2032. “Currently, the total number of women officers is 8,000,” he had said. The Territorial Army opened up for women and 110 vacancies will come up for women, he had added.Army modernising force for future warfare: GeneralTaking lessons from conflicts going on around the world, General Upendra Dwivedi said on Tuesday modernisation remains the urgent focus of the Indian Army. Dedicated regiments of drones with enhanced capabilities, rocket cum missile force, loitering munitions, new battalions like Bhairon equipped with modern technologies and advanced weapons and anti-missile defence radar and systems are on the cards.He said over 90% ammunition is now indigenised, underscoring the push towards self-reliance. “After Operation Sindoor, drones got a new thrust,” he said, adding that new drone formations have been raised and each command now has the capability to manufacture up to 5,000 drones depending on operational requirements. This capability can be enhanced to 20,000 or even one lakh drones depending upon the threat perception or conflict, he said.“As of today, we have raised 13 Bhairav battalions, which are meant to bridge the gap between lethal platoons and special forces within infantry battalions,” the Gen said.“Moving on to artillery, we have created a Divyastra battery. It will be part of the artillery regiment and will provide support to a division commander. Again, this involves UAS equipment. For counter-unmanned aircraft system ammunition, we have our powerful regiment, which we are currently raising three units of, and will later raise 12 more. We will then expand this further,” he added.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTibetan Government-In-Exile Urges India To Understand China’s Colonial MindsetAustralia Moves India to Highest-Risk AL3 Category for Student Visas“I Too Want to Help Develop an India Where We Listen…” Rahul Gandhi During Student InteractionCentre Steps In To Scrap 10 Minute Delivery Timers After Safety Fears In India’s Gig Economy GrowMarvel Meets Maharashtra Politics, AI Reels On Civic Polls Turn Thanos, Hulk, Spider-Man Into NetasUS Threatens 25% Tariff on India-Iran Trade, Indian Rice Exporters Warn of LossesIndia To Face 75% US Tariffs After Trump’s Big Iran Announcement?Operation Sindoor Turning Points Revealed: Army Chief Tells What Forced Pakistan To Seek CeasefirePakistan’s Most Loyal Terror Proxy Against India Shows Signs Of Collapse, LeT Cadres Turn On ISILotus Takes Centre Stage As India Sets Tone For BRICS Presidency At Crucial 20 Year Milestone123Photostories5 things you should NEVER apologise for in lifePongal 2026: 9 traditional South Indian dishes for Pongal celebrationsWho ruled Tamil Nadu? A look at the state’s chief ministers since Independence — in picturesWinter Special: How to make Bengali-style Coconut Laddoo with Jaggery (Narkel Naru)From Mamata Banerjee to Dilip Ghosh: Heavyweights in Bengal election 2026 – in pics8 breakfast dishes made with eggs other than omelette and anda bhurji5 reasons why wildlife enthusiasts are heading to Ranthambore right now5 legendary landmarks in Asia named after animalsMakar Sankranti 2026: How to make traditional Moong Dal Khichdi at homeWhy anxiety disorder in teens is on the rise123Hot PicksShaksgam ValleyDubai AirportGold rate todayBengaluru news10-minute deliveryPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMike Tomlin WifeKai Cenat RetirementJoe Burrow GirlfriendNHL Trade RumorsJustin Rose and Kate Phillips Net WorthBrooks Koepka and Jena Sims Net WorthCardi BDamian Lillard Net WorthGiannis Antetokounmpo Net WorthHailee Steinfeld
NEW DELHI: General Upendra Dwivedi said on Tuesday the Army is ready to induct women in the infantry but that is contingent on societal acceptance.Stressing that women should not be seen as a “vulnerable commodity”, the General, during a media briefing, said the Army’s focus is on “gender neutrality”. “If standards are same, if capabilities are same, and in India as a nation, society is ready to accept it, it (combat role) can be done tomorrow,” he said.He said uniform standards are essential, but achieving them remains a challenge due to medical and operational constraints. Gen Dwivedi said performance data of women officers will determine the opening of more roles, starting with supporting arms, followed by combat arms and eventually special forces, calling it a “sequential and welcome social change.”Giving an estimate of the number of women in the Army currently, the Army chief had last year said, “In the NDA as of today, we have 60 women Army cadets and every year, we are looking at (inducting) 20 cadets. Also, in the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)—Chennai and Gaya—we are looking at 120 per year.” When it comes to inducting women in the other ranks (ORs), it involves a change in Section 12 of the Army Act, he had said. The Army was looking at a 12 times increase in women’s induction in ORs by 2032. “Currently, the total number of women officers is 8,000,” he had said. The Territorial Army opened up for women and 110 vacancies will come up for women, he had added.Army modernising force for future warfare: GeneralTaking lessons from conflicts going on around the world, General Upendra Dwivedi said on Tuesday modernisation remains the urgent focus of the Indian Army. Dedicated regiments of drones with enhanced capabilities, rocket cum missile force, loitering munitions, new battalions like Bhairon equipped with modern technologies and advanced weapons and anti-missile defence radar and systems are on the cards.He said over 90% ammunition is now indigenised, underscoring the push towards self-reliance. “After Operation Sindoor, drones got a new thrust,” he said, adding that new drone formations have been raised and each command now has the capability to manufacture up to 5,000 drones depending on operational requirements. This capability can be enhanced to 20,000 or even one lakh drones depending upon the threat perception or conflict, he said.“As of today, we have raised 13 Bhairav battalions, which are meant to bridge the gap between lethal platoons and special forces within infantry battalions,” the Gen said.“Moving on to artillery, we have created a Divyastra battery. It will be part of the artillery regiment and will provide support to a division commander. Again, this involves UAS equipment. For counter-unmanned aircraft system ammunition, we have our powerful regiment, which we are currently raising three units of, and will later raise 12 more. We will then expand this further,” he added.
