Despite recent steps towards inducing women into combat roles, their participation remains low. Examine the key challenges impeding the greater inclusion of women in the Indian armed forces. Also, suggest suitable measures to enhance their participation.

Representation of women in combat roles among armed forces in India remains low. Recent Steps towards induction: (1) Women granted permanent commission via Badita Puniya case (2) Promoting gender equality in recruitment (3) Pushing women armed forces members as role models (4) Removed countering social stigma against women in armed forces (5) Women recruits induced as part of Agnepath scheme Challenges impeding greater inclusion: (1) Perception of job as 'mans job' (2) False belief that women would be burden on battlefield (3) Social stigma towards women in armed forces (4) Outdated beliefs that women lack strength or toughness (5) Resistance from top levels of armed forces (6) Social polarization: of jobs women seen as suited for non-violent jobs (7) Dual burden of women > having to manage family life

Challenges impeding greater inclusion: (1) Perception of job as 'mans job' (2) False belief that women would be burden on battlefield (3) Social stigma towards women in armed forces (4) Outdated beliefs that women lack strength or toughness (5) Resistance from top levels of armed forces (6) Social polarization: of jobs - women seen as suited for non-violent jobs (7) Dual burden of women > having to manage family life.

Measures to enhance participation: (1) Awareness campaigns to counter social stigma & false beliefs (2) Woman as role models to inspire girls to join armed forces (3) Consider reservation of certain posts for women (4) Recruitment tests should be gender sensitive (5) Inducing more women in armed forces will help achieve SDG5: Gender Equality & vision of Nari Shakti.