Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said he would direct the army to make available lady gynaecologists for medical examination of women candidates in the wake of an aspirant's complaint that she was rejected because she refused to undergo tests by a male gynaecologist.

Surya Moudgil had appeared for the tests for the post of short service commission officer at Allahabad in July this year, and at a press conference on Wednesday showed a certificate from the army stating that she was rejected for "refusal to get examined by male gynaecologist and surgical specialist".

However, the army in a statement on Thursday denied that the sensitivities of the woman candidate were not paid heed to.

"Three lady candidates objected to or had reservations for being medically examined by male surgical specialist and male gynaecologist of the Army at Allahabad... Since Army's lady gynaecologist was in Delhi, these candidates were sent to Delhi for medical examination," the army said in a statement.

"Of the three lady candidates, two were examined by a male surgical specialist and a lady gynaecologist in Delhi. However, Ms Moudgil also objected to be medically examined by the male surgical specialist," it said.

"Consequently, her medical examination, which is essential for the selection process, could not be completed."

Moudgil, however, claims that she had met with the same fate in Delhi too.

"I was told by a senior official in Delhi that the army will not work according to my wishes. I was told that I should not object since only the head of the department, who is a man, is authorised to conduct the tests," she said.