Published on 16 December 2024, In Her Defence: Ten Landmark Judgments on Women in the Armed Forces is a groundbreaking legal anthology that captures the struggle, resilience, and triumph of Indian women in uniform through the lens of the judiciary. Authored by Navdeep Singh, a seasoned lawyer and retired Colonel, and Shivani Dasmahapatra, a public policy expert, this book is a vital contribution to India’s legal and military discourse. In Her Defence brings together ten pivotal court rulings that have transformed the role and rights of women in India’s armed forces. Each chapter focuses on a key legal case, dissected in accessible language for both lay readers and legal enthusiasts.
The book brings together ten powerful essays, each centred around a landmark court ruling that has reshaped the role and rights of women in the Indian armed forces. Written by jurists, senior advocates, and legal scholars, the essays analyze how these judgments have advanced gender justice in a domain historically dominated by patriarchal norms.
Among the pivotal cases discussed is Babita Punia v. Union of India (2020), in which the Supreme Court of India ruled in favour of granting permanent commission to women officers in the Army. This landmark judgment struck down the argument of “physiological limitations” and gender stereotypes, marking a historic step toward equality in military careers. In Her Defence uses this case to underline how outdated norms were being legally dismantled to allow women long-term roles in service.
The book explores Union of India v. Lt. Cdr. Annie Nagaraja & Others (2020), which extended the permanent commission rights to women officers in the Indian Navy. The authors provide legal context and commentary on how the courts called out discriminatory practices and affirmed that “gender cannot be a ground to deny opportunity.” In Her Defence thoughtfully analyzes how this case advanced the conversation on inclusivity in traditionally male-dominated institutions.
The book also examines critical issues such as pregnancy-based discrimination, highlighted in the Neetu Bala v. Union of India (2016) case, where the Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that pregnancy cannot be treated as a disability or used to deny employment in the Army Medical Corps. Essays also address the legal complexities of sexual harassment within the forces and how constitutional rights like Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 15 (Prohibition of Discrimination) have been interpreted to support fairness and dignity for women in uniform while other chapters unpacks the legal dimensions of a sexual harassment case within the armed forces, spotlighting how courts have begun addressing workplace safety and dignity for women in uniform. These chapters show how In Her Defence highlights intersectional issues faced by women from career progression to bodily autonomy through real legal battles.
What makes In Her Defence especially compelling is its accessible language and clear legal explanations, making it equally valuable for law students, policymakers, gender rights advocates, and general readers. The book not only celebrates judicial victories but also sheds light on systemic challenges such as biased selection policies, unfair postings, and lack of institutional support.
More than just a collection of legal commentaries, In Her Defence is a moving tribute to the courage of women who took their battles beyond the barracks and into the courtroom. It’s a powerful reminder that the law can be a tool for real change especially when backed by persistence, clarity, and the constitutional promise of equality.
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Book Availability, Formats, and Pricing
In Her Defence: Ten Landmark Judgments on Women in the Armed Forces by Navdeep Singh and Shivani Dasmahapatra was published on 16 December 2024 by Penguin Veer, with printing support from Ignited Books, Aminjikarai, Chennai-29. The book is available in English and has 288 pages in paperback format. You can purchase the Kindle edition for ₹252 and the paperback edition for ₹279. The book is available for purchase on major platforms such as Amazon India, Goodreads, Flipkart, and through select physical bookstores across the country.
About the Authors of In Her Defence
Navdeep Singh is a distinguished lawyer and former volunteer in the Indian Territorial Army, with a legal practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Recognized for his relentless advocacy on military and veterans’ rights, he has been commended by all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces. His work has focused on disability benefits, pensions, and the legal rights of service personnel and their families.
Navdeep has served on several expert panels, including one with the Ministry of Defence, and contributed to international efforts on military justice such as the Yale Draft and Commonwealth Military Justice Principles. His bestselling books Soldiers, Know Your Rights, Maimed by the System, and March to Justice have helped simplify complex military laws for the public and legal communities. He is a trusted voice in defence legal reforms and a champion for gender equality in uniformed services.
Shivani Dasmahapatra is a communications expert and public policy consultant with over 30 years of experience in media, advocacy, and storytelling. Coming from a military family herself, she has worked closely with Members of Parliament, NGOs, and international bodies, bringing deep insight into governance, gender justice, and defence issues.
She is the founder of the Lest We Forget India Foundation, an initiative that documents stories of the armed forces and supports families of military personnel. Shivani has also contributed to leading publications like India Today and Encyclopedia Britannica. A passionate writer and photographer, her work often blends human rights, defence policy, and storytelling to promote empathy and awareness.
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Thematic Analysis of In Her Defence
- Fighting Gender Bias Through the Constitution: In Her Defence powerfully highlights how the Indian judiciary has been instrumental in dismantling deep-rooted gender bias within the armed forces. Drawing on Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution, the book showcases how landmark judgments, like Babita Punia vs Union of India (2020), fought against discriminatory service rules that previously denied permanent commissions to women. These judgments underscore that women’s constitutional right to equality cannot be compromised by patriarchal norms. This bookshows how the courts redefined outdated standards of physicality and traditional gender roles in defence services.
- Pregnancy Is Not a Disqualification: A major theme of this bookis the fight against discrimination based on pregnancy. The Neetu Bala vs Union of India case (2016), discussed in one of the essays, marked a significant legal milestone when the Punjab and Haryana High Court declared that pregnancy could not be a valid reason to deny employment in the Army Medical Corps. The court emphasized that pregnancy is not a disability but a natural aspect of a woman’s life. This judgment highlights how deeply ingrained biases can influence institutional policies. In Her Defence strongly asserts that motherhood and military service can go hand in hand.
- Breaking Stereotypes in Command Roles: One of the key arguments in this bookis that leadership should be defined by merit, not gender. The essays discussing the Ministry of Defence vs Babita Punia case reveal how women officers were once denied command roles based on outdated gender stereotypes. The Supreme Court firmly ruled that such discrimination violates constitutional values, reinforcing that women are just as capable of leading troops and making critical strategic decisions. In Her Defence makes it clear that systemic bias must not be allowed to block women’s rightful place in leadership within the armed forces.
- Legal Victories That Shaped a Movement: Through real cases and in-depth commentaries, this bookcaptures how each legal victory for women in the armed forces has acted as a stepping stone toward larger reform. From denial of permanent commission to restrictions based on marital status or pregnancy, the book shows how courts have consistently upheld the values of dignity, equality, and non-discrimination. By highlighting ten such critical judgments, In Her Defence transforms courtroom decisions into inspirational stories of determination and change.
- Law as a Tool for Social Reform: In Her Defence does not just focus on the legal texts it humanizes each case by connecting it to the broader societal and cultural mindsets that reinforce inequality. Essays reflect on how women had to fight not only policy but also perception, battling notions that military roles are only suited to men. By showcasing how the judiciary challenged these views and thus presents law as a powerful force for reshaping social norms and enabling systemic reform within the defence sector.
- The Human Stories Behind Every Case: Every chapter in this bookconnects us with a deeply human story of a woman who dared to challenge the system. From Monu Kumari’s fight against unfair rejection due to pregnancy to Neetu Bala’s courageous legal battle, these are stories of real women who stood their ground. Their strength and resilience form the emotional core of the book. In Her Defence reminds us that legal victories are not abstract achievements they are lived realities that affect people’s futures.
- A Call for Continued Reform: While the book celebrates progress and also clearly notes the work that remains. Patriarchal attitudes, structural discrimination, and policy-level resistance continue to obstruct women’s full integration in the armed forces. The essays collectively advocate for broader institutional change from gender-sensitive recruitment to fair maternity policies. In Her Defence is a call to action for policymakers, military leaders, and citizens alike to ensure that equality is not just promised, but practiced.
- Bridging Law and Public Understanding: Despite dealing with complex legal matters, this bookis written in accessible language, making it readable for law students, military aspirants, and everyday citizens. By breaking down legal jargon and explaining the societal implications of each case, the book brings constitutional law closer to the public. This accessibility is one of the biggest strengths of In Her Defence, ensuring that its message reaches beyond courtrooms and classrooms to influence broader public discourse.
- Rewriting Military Policy Through Judicial Intervention: One of the lesser-discussed yet significant themes in In Her Defence is the judiciary’s indirect role in pushing military institutions to update outdated service policies. Through detailed case discussions, the book shows how judgments compelled the armed forces to revise recruitment norms, reconsider medical fitness standards, and rethink service eligibility for women. For instance, after verdicts like Neetu Bala and Babita Punia, policy letters that once excluded women due to arbitrary clauses had to be reviewed or withdrawn. In this book positions the judiciary not just as an interpreter of law but as a catalyst forcing traditional institutions to adapt to constitutional ideals.
- The Intersection of Public Policy and Military Justice: Another vital theme in In Her Defence is how legal decisions often intersect with broader public policy goals, such as gender inclusivity, workforce diversity, and institutional accountability. The book emphasizes that the judiciary does not operate in isolation but frequently influences national conversations on fairness, equality, and representation. The collaboration between legal professionals and policy experts, as seen in the book’s editorial work by Navdeep Singh and Shivani Dasmahapatra, illustrates how courtroom victories can ripple into reforms at the policy-making level. In this bookbrilliantly connects individual legal battles with national shifts in how military justice is approached in modern India.
- Judicial Recognition of Systemic Patriarchy in the Armed Forces: A powerful theme in In Her Defence is the judiciary’s acknowledgment of systemic patriarchy embedded in the Indian armed forces. In multiple judgments, including Ministry of Defence v. Babita Punia, the courts identified how long-standing biases had limited women’s roles in service, not because of performance but because of outdated gender beliefs. The Supreme Court explicitly noted that structures within the armed forces often reflect broader societal prejudices, reinforcing the belief that only men are suitable for combat and command. In this bookbrings this issue to the forefront, showing how courts have played a crucial role in exposing and correcting gendered assumptions within military hierarchies.
- Maternity, Dignity, and Equality in Uniform: Another central theme explored in In Her Defence is the legal recognition of women’s reproductive rights and their integration with professional dignity. The book discusses how courts have ruled that pregnancy and motherhood cannot be used as grounds to question a woman’s competence or commitment to service. In the Neetu Bala case, for example, the High Court strongly held that denying employment due to pregnancy violates constitutional guarantees and perpetuates discrimination. In this bookpowerfully argues that equality in uniform includes respecting maternity without treating it as a liability, reinforcing that women need not choose between service and motherhood.
Why This Book Deserves Your Attention
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In Her Defence is not just a book and it is a powerful reminder of how the law can drive real change. This compelling anthology brings together ten landmark judgments that have shaped the journey of women in India’s armed forces. Each essay highlights how the judiciary has challenged gender discrimination and upheld the constitutional promise of equality, especially in a domain long dominated by patriarchal norms. From securing permanent commissions to addressing pregnancy-related discrimination, these legal battles are presented in accessible language by jurists, judges, and scholars. What sets this book apart is how it humanizes the law and showing the courage, resilience, and determination of women who paved the way for gender parity in the military. As the back cover insightfully states, few areas in legal history have witnessed as profound a transformation as the push for gender equality within the armed forces. This bookstands as a cornerstone of this change, offering a tribute to women in uniform and a call to action for continued progress.
In Her Defence is ideal for anyone passionate about gender justice, law, and the Indian armed forces. Law students, legal professionals, policy makers, and human rights advocates will find its analysis of constitutional principles and landmark judgments both informative and inspiring. Readers interested in feminist literature and gender equality will appreciate how the book confronts systemic bias with clarity and conviction. Military history enthusiasts and those curious about the evolving role of women in defence services will also gain valuable insights. Even general readers who enjoy real stories of courage, resilience, and institutional change will connect deeply with the narratives in this book.
Final Thoughts
In Her Defence is a powerful and important book that shows how the courts have helped bring change for women in the armed forces. It explains how women officers have fought legal battles to get equal rights, respect, and fair treatment. The book highlights key court decisions that challenged old rules and supported the idea of fairness and equality. If you are interested in law, women’s rights, or the role of women in India’s military, In Her Defence is a must-read. It encourages us to think about how we can all support a more fair and equal future in the defence forces.
