The Centre on Thursday assured the Supreme Court that cadets discharged from premier military institutes due to disabilities suffered during training will now be provided medical facilities under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS).
A Bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Prashant Kumar Mishra was informed by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati that with effect from August 29, all such cadets have been included under the ECHS scheme. Importantly, the one-time subscription fee of ₹1.20 lakh, normally payable by officers, has been waived.
Taking note of the submissions, the Bench directed the Centre to complete the registration of eligible cadets preferably by September 15 and appointed senior advocate Rekha Palli as amicus curiae in the matter. “We appreciate the positive response in extending the medical facility for treatment in the form of ECHS scheme to the invalidated and outboarded cadets. The details of the said scheme may be placed on record,” the court observed.
On the issue of financial support, the court noted that the existing ex gratia amount fixed in 2017 required enhancement in light of inflation. The Bench also raised concerns over the adequacy of current insurance coverage, suggesting efforts should be made to strengthen the scheme for medically discharged cadets.
It further recommended reassessment of invalidated cadets for suitable resettlement opportunities. “These are educated individuals who have cleared competitive entrance exams. They are capable of undertaking desk jobs even if not recognized as ex-servicemen,” the Bench remarked.
Bhati informed the court that in case of death, a one-time ex gratia of ₹12.5 lakh is paid along with ₹9,000 per month to the kin. She added that cadets are covered under subscription-based insurance schemes run by the Army, Navy, and Air Force, including the Army Group Insurance Fund, for which monthly premiums are deducted.
The apex court had earlier taken suo motu cognisance on August 12 following a media report highlighting the plight of cadets disabled during training at institutions like the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Military Academy (IMA). According to the report, nearly 500 officer cadets have been discharged since 1985, including around 20 from NDA alone between 2021 and July 2025.
Unlike soldiers, these cadets were not entitled to ex-servicemen status and were excluded from ECHS coverage despite sustaining service-related disabilities. They currently receive ex gratia payments up to ₹40,000 per month depending on disability, an amount deemed inadequate to meet rising medical costs.
The Supreme Court has posted the matter for further hearing on October 7, while seeking the Centre’s response on enhancing monetary and insurance benefits, along with details of the newly extended ECHS scheme.
