The Supreme Court, taking suo motu cognizance of the plight of military cadets rendered disabled during training, has directed the Union Government and defence authorities to respond on measures being taken for their welfare.
A Bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan observed that the Centre must consider extending insurance cover to cadets undergoing rigorous training at premier military institutions, so as to safeguard them and their families against contingencies of death or permanent disability.
The Court also questioned whether the present ex-gratia compensation of ₹40,000 provided to disabled cadets was sufficient to meet the high cost of medical treatment. It directed Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, to obtain instructions on enhancing the compensation as well as formulating a rehabilitation policy that could enable such cadets to be absorbed into alternative roles within the defence establishment, including desk jobs, after their recovery.
Emphasising the need to support those who have cleared competitive examinations to join the forces, the Bench remarked, “We want braveheart cadets to remain in the services. Disability during training should not become a deterrent for them to serve the nation.”
The suo motu case was registered on August 12 after a media report highlighted the concerns of cadets who had been medically discharged from institutions such as the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Military Academy (IMA). According to the report, nearly 500 officer cadets have faced discharge since 1985 due to disabilities incurred during training, and many continue to struggle with mounting medical expenses without adequate financial or institutional support.
It was further noted that cadets disabled prior to commissioning are not recognised as ex-servicemen, thereby losing entitlement under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), which provides free treatment at military hospitals and empanelled facilities. Unlike other categories of soldiers, these cadets are left with only an ex-gratia payment of up to ₹40,000 per month depending on the severity of disability, an amount that falls significantly short of basic requirements.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 4.
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