New Delhi: Over 1.77 lakh applications were received from women candidates for entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA), the Centre informed the Parliament on Monday.
Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha that the total number of applications received was 5,75,856, out of which 1,77,654 were from women.
It may be recalled that the Supreme Court paved the way for the entry of women into the prestigious military training academy via an order in August. Till date, it has been a male bastion for recruitment into three armed forces.
According to Bhatt, necessary infrastructure and facilities for the training of the women candidates are already in place at the academy.
“Medical standards have been notified in the UPSC notification. Physical standards will be finalised before commencement of training,” Bhatt was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
“There were no restrictions on the number of female applicants who could apply for the 2021 National Defence Academy examination,” Bhatt added.
While answering a separate question, the minister said the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 11 indigenously-developed systems at an expense of ₹24,711 crore has been accorded for induction in the three services.
ALSO READ: UPSC Activates Application Link For Women In NDA, Naval Academy Exams