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ESM Definition

Definition of Ex-Servicemen

The definition of Ex-Servicemen (ESM) has been revised from time to time by the Government of India. The eligibility of a person to be treated as an Ex-Serviceman shall be governed by the definition in force at the time of his/her discharge and shall not be affected by any subsequent changes.

1. Personnel Released Between 01 July 1966 and 30 June 1968 (Both Days Inclusive)

Any person who has served in any rank (whether as a combatant or non-combatant) in the Armed Forces of the Union and has been released therefrom otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency.

Authority:
Ministry of Home Affairs Notification No. F.14/26/64-Estt(D) dated 11 October 1966

 

2. Personnel Released Between 01 July 1968 and 30 June 1971 (Both Days Inclusive)

Any person who has served in any rank (whether as a combatant or non-combatant) in the Armed Forces of the Union for a continuous period of not less than six months and has been released otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency.

Authority:
Ministry of Home Affairs Notification No. 14/11/68-Estt(D)/Estt-C dated 13 February 1969

3. Personnel Released Between 01 July 1971 and 30 June 1974 (Both Days Inclusive)

Any person who has served in any rank (whether as a combatant or non-combatant) in the Armed Forces of the Union and has been released otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency.

Authority:
Cabinet Secretariat, Department of Personnel Notification No. 13/3/71-Estt(C) dated 14 October 1971

4. Personnel Released Between 01 July 1974 and 30 June 1979 (Both Days Inclusive)

An Ex-Serviceman means a person who has served in any rank (whether as a combatant or non-combatant) in the Armed Forces of the Union for a continuous period of not less than six months after attestation and has been released otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency.

Authority:
Cabinet Secretariat, Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms Notification No. 13/24/73-Estt(C) dated 26 October 1974

5. Personnel Released Between 01 July 1979 and 30 June 1987 (Both Days Inclusive)

Any person who has served in any rank (whether as a combatant or non-combatant) in the Armed Forces of the Union:

  • For a continuous period of not less than six months after attestation, if discharged for reasons other than at own request or dismissal/discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency; or
  • For not less than five years, if discharged at own request.

Authority:
Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms Notification No. 39016/10/79-Estt(C) dated 15 December 1979

6. Personnel Released On or After 01 July 1987

Any person who has served in any rank (whether as a combatant or non-combatant) in the Armed Forces of the Union and:

  • Was released/retired with any kind of pension from the Defence Budget; or
  • Was released on completion of specific terms of engagement with gratuity, otherwise than at own request or by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency.

Authority:
DoP&T OM No. 36034/5/85-Estt(SCT) dated 14 April 1987

7. Personnel of the Territorial Army

Territorial Army personnel who are:

  • Pension holders for continuous embodied service
  • Personnel with disability attributable to military service
  • Gallantry award winners

Retired on or after 15 November 1986.

Authority:
DoP&T OM No. 36034/5/85-Estt(SCT) dated 14 April 1987

8. Personnel of the Army Postal Service (APS)

Personnel of the Army Postal Service who are part of the Regular Army and:

  • Retire directly from APS with pension (without reversion to P&T Department); or
  • Are released on medical grounds attributable to military service or circumstances beyond their control and awarded disability pension.

Authority:
Ministry of Defence OM No. 9(52)/88/D(Res) dated 19 July 1989

Note:
As per Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare OM No. 1(9)/2010/D(Res-I) dated 20/21 July 2011, personnel on deputation in APS for more than six months prior to 14 April 1987 are also treated as Ex-Servicemen with all consequential benefits.

9. Recruits Boarded Out on Medical Grounds

Recruits who are boarded out or released on medical grounds and granted medical/disability pension.

Authority:
Ministry of Defence, Department of ESW OM No. 12/1/2005/D(Res) dated 01 February 2006

(Operation kept in abeyance pending notification by DoP&T)

10. Personnel Released On or After 10 October 2012

An Ex-Serviceman means a person who:

  1. Has served in any rank (combatant or non-combatant) in the Regular Army, Navy, or Air Force of the Indian Union and:
    • Retired or discharged after earning pension; or
    • Released on medical grounds attributable to military service and awarded disability pension; or
    • Released due to reduction in establishment;
  2. Has completed the specific period of engagement and released with gratuity, otherwise than at own request or dismissal/discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency;
  3. Includes:
    • Territorial Army personnel (pension holders)
    • Army Postal Service personnel retired without reversion
    • Personnel deputed to APS for more than six months prior to 14 April 1987
    • Ex-recruits boarded out on medical grounds and granted disability pension irrespective of date of release

Authority:
DoP&T OM No. 36034/1/2006-Estt(Res) dated 04 October 2012
Gazette Notification G.S.R. 757(E) dated 10 October 2012

Further Clarification:
Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare OM dated 07 July 2014 grants Ex-Servicemen status to ex-recruits irrespective of date of boarding out/release.

11. Govt notifies Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services & Posts) Amendment Rules 2026

The Government has notified the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services & Posts) Amendment Rules 2026, under Article 309 of the Constitution. The key change revises Rule 2(c)(i) to clearly include the personnel who have served in any rank, whether combatant or non-combatant, in the Regular Army, Navy or Air Force, as well as the Military Nursing Service (MNS) of the Indian Union within the definition framework for ex-servicemen re-employment in the Central Civil Services.

The move removes earlier ambiguity whether MNS officers, who are commissioned officers, were entitled to the same re-employment benefits as other veterans. The amendment formally recognises the MNS personnel under the re-employment rules, and strengthens rehabilitation & second-career opportunities for a wider segment of former defence personnel.

Under the Rule 2, Clause (c) Amendment, the definition of ‘ex-servicemen’ now explicitly lists the ‘Military Nursing Service of the Indian Union’ alongside the Regular Army, Navy, and Air Force. The rule applies to anyone who has served in any rank whether as a combatant or non-combatant. The amendment came into force immediately upon its publication on February 09, 2026.

This amendment formally grants the MNS personnel access to:

  • ​Reservation Quotas: 10% in Group ‘C’ and 20% in Group ‘D’ central government posts.
  • ​Age Relaxation: The ability to deduct the years of military service plus 3 years from their actual age for civil job eligibility.
  • ​Employment Priority: Equal standing with other ex-servicemen in the eyes of the Union Public Service Commission and Staff Selection Commission.

Important Note

The eligibility for Ex-Servicemen status shall be determined as per the definition prevailing at the time of discharge and shall not be affected by any subsequent amendments.