Republic Day 2024 to have only women contingents on Kartavya Path

New Delhi: The Republic Day parade in 2024 will feature only women participants, from the marching contingents and bands to the tableaux and performances.

In a move aimed at promoting gender equality and women empowerment, the Defence Ministry has announced an all-woman parade for Republic Day 2024.

Government sources told Defence Watch, the decision as a part of a larger effort to promote female representation and empowerment in the military and other sectors, has been conveyed to the armed forces and government departments and its implementation is being worked out.

A note sent in March to the forces and other stakeholders involved in the organisation of the annual parade, which takes place at the Kartavya Path, in central New Delhi on January 26, had announced the plan.

The letter said, "After detailed deliberations, it has been decided that the Republic Day Parade, 2024, will have only women participants in the contingents (marching and band), tableaux and other performances during the Parade at Kartavya Path."

However, the letter has now created confusion among some officials. They were of the opinion that it was not possible to include women participants in all marching and band contingents.

Women in uniform are flying fighter planes, serving on board warships, being inducted into the PBOR cadre, eligible for permanent commission, being assigned command roles, and undergoing training at the National Defence Academy. However, despite these advancements, tanks and combat positions in the infantry are still not accessible to women.

Despite these challenges, the Indian government has been taking significant steps towards promoting women empowerment in the armed forces. Women officers are being assigned central roles on par with their male counterparts across the three services, and their participation in parades and other events is increasing.

(Defence Watch– India's Defence News centre that focuses on Defence Manufacturing, Defence Technology, Strategy and Military affairs is on Twitter. Follow us here and stay updated.)