Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approves extension of maternity, child care leaves for women in Armed Force. Details here

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal for extension of the rules for Maternity, Child Care and Child Adoption Leaves for women in the Armed Forces at par with their officer counterparts.

According to the PIB statement, this benefit will be applied to all women in the Armed forces, regardless of their position as an officer or otherwise. Defence Minister added that all women soldiers, sailors and air warriors will be eligible for this.

As per the statement, the Minister claims that this measure would help improve the work conditions of women in the military and also aid them to balance the spheres of professional and family life in a better manner.

Taking to X, Defence Minister's Office wrote, “The decision is in line with the RM’s vision of inclusive participation of all women in the Armed Forces, irrespective of their ranks. The extension of leave rules will go a long way in dealing with women-specific family and social issues relevant to the Armed Forces”

Furthering Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government's commitment towards utilising Nari Shakti, the three Services have spearheaded a paradigm shift with the inclusion of women as soldiers, sailors and air warriors, it said.

The ministry further said that with the recruitment of women Agniveers, the Armed Forces will be empowered with the bravery, dedication and patriotism of women soldiers, sailors and air warriors to defend the land, sea and air frontiers of the country.

From being operationally deployed in Siachen, the highest battlefield in the world to being posted on warships as well as dominating the skies, Indian women are now breaking barriers in almost every field in the Armed Forces.

In 2019, a significant milestone was also achieved through the recruitment of women in the Indian Army as soldiers in the Corps of Military Police