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Key Points:
- The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has sanctioned free medical facilities under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) for officer cadets who are medically discharged due to disabilities during training.
- Earlier, these cadets were not eligible for Ex-Servicemen (ESM) status and hence deprived of benefits.
Background
- Since 1985, 500 officer cadets have been medically discharged from premier institutions like the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Military Academy (IMA).
- At NDA alone, 20 cadets have been discharged in the past 5 years (2021–2025).
- Till now, they received only ex-gratia payment (Rs 9,000–40,000/month) depending on disability extent, insufficient to meet medical costs (~Rs 50,000+ monthly).
- The Supreme Court had sought Centre’s response in August 2025 after media reports on their plight.
Key Decision
- ECHS medical coverage approved for such cadets as a special dispensation.
- Facilities: Free treatment at military hospitals, ECHS polyclinics, and empanelled hospitals.
- No subscription fee (Rs 1.2 lakh) applicable (unlike regular ex-servicemen).
- Benefits apply only to the affected cadets, not their dependents.
Why in News?
MoD approved ECHS benefits for officer cadets medically discharged during training—a long-standing demand, following SC’s intervention and reports on their struggles.
