Another glass ceiling shattered: women aiming to be IAF fighter pilots rejoice!

Women who aim to be fighter pilots with the Indian Air Force have much to rejoice.

The Modi government has decided to convert the experimental scheme for induction of women fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force into a permanent one.

In a tweet, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh that the decision is a testimony to the capability of India’s ‘Nari Shakti’.

“The MoD has decided to convert the Experimental Scheme for Induction of Women Fighter Pilots in the Indian Air Force into a permanent scheme," he said on Twitter. “It is a testimony to the capability of India’s ‘Nari Shakti’ and our PM Shri@narendramodi’s commitment towards women empowerment," he added.

The decision came months after the Supreme Court paved the way for the entry of women into the prestigious National Defence Academy.

Flying Officers Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh had become the first women to become fighter pilots in June 2016.

In 2020, the Navy announced deploying its first batch of women pilots on the Dornier maritime aircraft. It has deployed 28 women officers on board around 15 frontline warships.