Indian armed forces to open all combat roles to women

India has announced that women will be allowed to occupy combat roles in all sections of its army, navy and air force, indicating a radical move to gender parity in one of the world's most-male dominated professions. 

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee announced the move while addressing both houses of  parliament before the budget session, saying  government would in the future recruit women for fighting roles in India's armed forces. 

India, which has one of the largest armies in the world, has previously resisted such a move, citing concerns over women's vulnerability if captured and over their physical and mental ability to cope with the stress of front-line deployment.


ALJAZEERA