New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has formally asked the Central Government to consider granting “Ex-Servicemen” status to military cadets who are “boarded out” due to disabilities sustained during their training. A Bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan noted on Friday, April 3, 2026, that most of these cadets are in their 20s or 30s and face a lifetime of unemployment and mounting medical expenses after being medically discharged from premier institutes like the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Military Academy (IMA).
The court’s proposal aims to enable these young “bravehearts” to access reservation benefits in government and semi-government jobs, providing them with a viable career path after their military dreams are cut short. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) N. Venkataraman, representing the Union of India, informed the court that a comprehensive response would be submitted following instructions from the Ministry of Defence. This development is part of a suo motu case initiated by the apex court last year to address the systemic neglect of cadets who suffer life-altering injuries while serving the nation in training.
Key measures under Supreme Court review:
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Reservation Benefits: Granting ex-military status to allow disabled cadets to compete for reserved quotas in various civil and governmental posts.
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Insurance Coverage: The court has directed the Centre to explore a mandatory group insurance scheme, similar to those provided to active-duty personnel, to cover death or disability during training.
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ECHS Implementation: While the Ministry of Defence has reportedly cleared a file to grant Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) cover to these cadets, the court noted that the benefit is yet to be implemented on the ground.
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Financial Revision: The Bench has asked for an upward revision of the current lump-sum ex-gratia payment, which stands at a mere ₹40,000 for cadets disabled during training, calling it insufficient for long-term medical needs.
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Rehabilitation into Desk Jobs: The court suggested a formal scheme to rehabilitate medically discharged cadets into desk-based roles or other support functions within the defence services.
Since 1985, approximately 500 officer cadets have been medically discharged due to varying degrees of disability. Currently, these individuals receive a small monthly ex-gratia payment that falls significantly short of the disability pension provided to commissioned officers. The Supreme Court emphasized that the fear of being “left in the lurch” after an injury should not deter young Indians from joining the armed forces. The case has been adjourned for further hearing later this month, pending the Centre’s detailed roadmap for the rehabilitation of these cadets.
