Corps of Military Police to start hiring women this year: Bipin Rawat

In another step towards active deployment of women in Indian Army, chief of staff Bipin Rawat assured they would be hired in Corps of Military Police (CMP) this year. The Times of India quoted Bipin Rawat as saying that in the first year, 52 women will be recruited. All total Army plans to hire 800 women for ranks other than officers. 

The Army in the past have been criticised for not recruiting women in combat roles. Rawat on Sunday in Dehradun made the statement. Regarding proposal of compulsory military service for those applying for central government jobs, Rawat was evasive in his response. However, he suggested that candidates should first join NCC. 

Recently parliamentary report quoted Army vice-chief who was critical of fund-crunch for the force. Vice-Chief painted a bleak picture of Army's preparedness in case of a two-front war and was critical about government's efforts to modernise weapons. When Rawat was asked about it, he said, " Weapon procurement doesn’t happen overnight. But, this doesn’t mean we will not be able to last 10 days in case of war”.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been particularly vocal about women's participation in army and recruitment in CMP is another step towards it.