Delhi, 11 August (H.S.): In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has scrapped the Indian Army JAG branch’s 2:1 male-to-female vacancy ratio, calling it “arbitrary” and a violation of the right to equality. The bench of Justices Manmohan and Dipankar Datta ordered that all candidates be assessed via a single merit list, with no gender-based seat caps.

The court said women must be allotted at least 50% of vacancies to offset past exclusion — but their selection cannot be limited if they outrank male candidates. The verdict came after two women, both placed above several men, were denied entry under the quota. One will now join the Army, while the other remains in the Navy.

Rejecting the government’s defence of its policy, the court declared that true gender neutrality means the “most meritorious” must be chosen, warning that such biased policies undermine both equality and national security.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar