India's Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane said as the National Defence Academy (NDA) opens its doors to women cadets, it is expected that they will be welcomed with the same sense of fair play and professionalism for which the Indian armed forces are known world over. Women's induction will be the "first step towards gender equality" in the armed forces, and "at least 40 years down the line" women would in the same position where he is, the army chief said.

He was addressing the cadets after reviewing the passing-out parade of the 141st course of the NDA in Dehradun.

"As we open the portals of the NDA for women cadets, we expect you to welcome them with the same sense of fair play and professionalism as Indian armed forces are known world over," Gen Naravane was quoted by PPTI news agency as saying. 

Last month, the Supreme Court allowed women candidates to take the NDA entrance exam in November this year. Gen Naravane said that as women are being inducted into NDA, he is sure that they will perform better than their male counterparts.

"This is just the first step towards gender equality as the army has always been at the forefront of all initiatives that have been taken in the country. As a result of this, they will also get empowered. They will hold more challenging assignments," he added.

"It's not that we don't have women officers. We already have women officers undergoing training at OTA (Officers Training Academy) at Chennai. They are exceedingly doing well. I am sure that the Academy will continue to prosper and flourish and bring fame and glory," Gen Naravane said.

Asked about how he sees the role of women in the armed forces in the next 20 to 30 years, he said, "At least 40 years down the line, they will be standing where I am standing."