Supreme Court Takes Cognizance of Plight of Discharged Officer Cadets

Strategic Insights -

The Indian Express published an investigation revealing that around 500 officer cadets were medically discharged from military institutes such as the National Defence Academy (NDA) since 1985, due to varying degrees of disability incurred during training. The discharged cadets are not eligible for the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and receive an ex gratia payment of up to Rs 40,000 per month, which is insufficient to cover medical expenses of nearly Rs 50,000 per month or more. The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter, issuing notices to various ministries and the armed forces, and has directed the Defence Minister to expedite a proposal to increase the ex gratia payment.

Key Takeaways:

  • Around 500 officer cadets have been medically discharged from military institutes such as the NDA since 1985.
  • At the NDA alone, around 20 such cadets were medically discharged in just the past five years, between 2021 and July 2025.
  • These discharged cadets are not eligible for the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and receive an ex gratia payment of up to Rs 40,000 per month.
  • Medical expenses alone cost, on an average, nearly Rs 50,000 per month or more, making the ex gratia payment insufficient.
  • The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter, issuing notices to various ministries and the armed forces.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had okayed a proposal to increase the ex gratia awarded in such cases, but the file was stuck.

Statistics:

  • 500 officer cadets medically discharged from military institutes since 1985.
  • 20 discharged cadets at the NDA alone in the past five years between 2021 and July 2025.
  • Ex gratia payment of up to Rs 40,000 per month.
  • Medical expenses averaging nearly Rs 50,000 per month or more.

Sources:

  • The Indian Express
  • "Supreme Court Takes Cognizance of Plight of Discharged Officer Cadets"