The Supreme Court directed that women be allowed to take the December 2021 exams for entry into the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC). This comes after it permitted women candidates to take National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exams this year.
The Army Training Command Had told the court that admissions to RIMC are done through competitive exams held twice every year, in June and December. It said preparatory work for the December exams being already over, “girls will be allowed to take the RIMC entrance examination scheduled in June 2022 for entry into RIMC for the term starting in January 2023.”
Justice SK Kaul however did not agree.
The bench, comprising Justice MM Sundresh, directed to make necessary changes so that they can take the exams scheduled this year. It directed that “the necessary modified advertisement be issued within two days without changing the schedule.”
“You are effectively postponing everything. Why do you want to postpone for a year,” Justice S K Kaul asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati.
The ASG said October 30 is the last date for submission of applications. “Exam process today is at an advanced stage, there are difficulties,” she submitted.
But the court did not show much concern.
The Army Training Command has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court. The affidavit stated, “Admission to RIMC is done through an All India Competitive examination held biannually in June and December every year for admission in January and July. All states of the union are allotted one seat while Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal allotted two seats, UP allotted three seats. The gradual process to be followed: Increase capacity from 250 to 300 incrementally by inducting five girls per six months. The girls will be allowed to take the RIMC entrance examination scheduled in June 2022 for entry into RMC for the term starting in January 2023.”
