New Delhi: The Central government has amended the rules governing re-employment of ex-servicemen in civil posts, expanding the definition to ensure broader and uniform recognition of military service across all branches of the armed forces.
Officials said the amendment aims to remove ambiguity and standardise eligibility for re-employment in Central government services. The revised provisions now clearly recognise service rendered in any rank—whether combatant or non-combatant—in the Army, Navy and Air Force. The updated definition also explicitly includes personnel who have served in the Military Nursing Service.
The change has been made under Rule 2(c)(i) of the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979. According to a notification issued on Monday, the amendment has been promulgated by the government under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution.
The revised rules came into effect immediately upon their publication in the Official Gazette.
The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, through the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), issued the notification to widen the scope of eligibility and ensure that service across different categories of the armed forces is treated uniformly for re-employment purposes.
The notification was signed by Additional Secretary Manoj Kumar Dwivedi. The original rules were framed in 1979 and have undergone periodic revisions in 1986, 1987, 2012 and 2020.
The latest amendment is expected to benefit a larger pool of former defence personnel seeking opportunities in Central civil services.
