The Indian Army has inducted five women officers into its Regiment of Artillery, with three of them assigned to frontline formations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
After successfully completing their training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai, Lt Mehak Saini, Lt Sakshi Dubey, Lt Aditi Yadav, Lt Pious Mudgil, and Lt Akanksha have joined the Army's premier artillery units.
According to the sources, three of the five female officers are assigned to units deployed along China's borders, while the other two are assigned to ‘challenging locations' near Pakistan's border.
The Regiment of Artillery is a major combat support arm with approximately 280 units handling various gun systems such as Bofors howitzers, Dhanush, M-777 howitzers, and K-9 Vajra self-propelled guns.
According to the sources, the young female officers are being assigned to various key artillery units where they will receive adequate training and exposure to handle rockets, field and surveillance and target acquisition (SATA) systems, as well as key equipment in difficult conditions.
They said Lt Saini was commissioned into a SATA regiment, Lt Dubey and Lt Yadav into field regiments, Lt Mudgil into a medium regiment and Lt Akanksha into a rocket regiment.
According to a source, the commissioning of women officers into the Regiment of Artillery demonstrates the Indian Army's ongoing transformation.
Gen Manoj Pande, Chief of Army Staff, announced the decision to commission women officers into artillery units in January.
The government later approved the proposal.
“By allowing women officers into the Regiment of Artillery, the Indian Army has expanded the role of women.” “Five female officers joined the Regiment of Artillery on April 29 after successfully completing training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai,” a source said.
According to an official, women officers (WOs) are given the same opportunities and challenges as their male counterparts.
After completing their training at the OTA, nineteen male officers were commissioned into artillery units.
On Saturday, the OTA held its passing out parade.
“The culmination of the passing out parade was the moment of commissioning, when the young women cadets took the oath of allegiance to the Constitution and received their rank insignia, signifying their entry into the Regiment of Artillery,” said the official.
Senior military officials, including Lt Gen Adosh Kumar, Colonel Commandant and Director General of Artillery (Designate), as well as other dignitaries and family members of the newly commissioned officers, attended the ceremony.
“This significant event marked a major milestone in the journey of women officers in the Indian Army, who have been breaking barriers to serve their country with valour and distinction,” said the cited official.
In a significant step, the Army began the process of inducting women into military police in 2019.
