The Supreme Court of India has taken a significant step to address the plight of military cadets discharged due to disabilities sustained during training, directing the Union of India to enhance monetary and insurance benefits and formulate a comprehensive scheme for their medical reassessment and resettlement. A bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Prashant Kumar Mishra, in a suo motu case initiated following a media report, emphasized the need for updated support mechanisms given the economic challenges posed by inflation and rising costs. The court appointed Senior Advocate and former Delhi High Court judge Rekha Palli as amicus curiae to assist in navigating the wide-ranging implications of this matter, scheduling the next hearing for October 7, 2025.

Background and Initiation of the Case

The judicial intervention was triggered that shed light on the struggles of approximately 500 cadets medically discharged from premier institutions like the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Military Academy (IMA) since 1985. Last month, the court issued notices to the Union Ministries of Defence, Finance, and Social Justice, along with the Chiefs of Defence Staff, Army Staff, Air Staff, and Naval Staff. The court sought responses on increasing monthly medical expenses, providing insurance coverage, conducting post-treatment reassessments for rehabilitation, and ensuring compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Initially, it was revealed that cadets lacked insurance coverage, though a proposal to include them under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) was pending.

Court’s Observations and Directives

During the hearing, the bench reviewed the existing monetary benefits, noting that ex-gratia amounts fixed in 2017—₹12.5 lakh plus ₹9,000 monthly for kin in case of death, and ₹9,000 with ₹16,000 for 100% disability (proportionately reduced)-require revision. The court remarked: “As far as monetary benefit is concerned, we have perused the amounts that are provided ex gratia with effect from 2017. Having regard to the lapse of time since 2017 we find that endeavour could be made to enhance the said figures accordingly particularly bearing in mind the current inflation and the price rise.” This directive underscores the need to align financial support with contemporary economic realities.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati updated the court on recent developments, stating that since August 29, 2025, all cadets discharged due to disabilities attributable to or aggravated by training have been enrolled in the ECHS without subscription fees, ensuring comprehensive medical care without caps. She detailed the current benefits: in cases of death, an ex-gratia of ₹12.5 lakh is paid along with ₹9,000 monthly to the next of kin; for disablement, cadets receive ₹9,000 ex-gratia, escalating to ₹16,000 for 100% disability, adjusted proportionally. Additionally, subscription-based insurance schemes managed by the Army, Air Force, and Navy provide ₹1 crore in case of death and ₹25 lakh for 100% disability (reduced proportionately), with a ₹50,000 ex-gratia for disabilities below 20%, funded through monthly premiums via the Army Group Insurance Fund.

Concerns Over Resettlement and Insurance

Despite these measures, the court expressed concern over the inadequacy of resettlement options, currently limited to commissioned ex-servicemen. Bhati noted that efforts are underway through the Director General of Resettlement, with a March 2024 proposal under consideration. Justice Nagarathna proposed a novel approach, suggesting that these cadets be treated as a distinct category rather than ex-servicemen, stating: “These are educated people; they have cleared the entrance exam. They are capable of doing… Not as ex-serviceman but if some sort of desk job can be given as far as possible where they are located. Come up with something regarding resettlement. Don’t consider them a service man or ex-serviceman but as a category by themselves.” She further highlighted that while the Army may not offer jobs, certifying their capabilities could facilitate employment elsewhere, remarking: “See you may not be able to give a job, that’s one thing. But the certificate will help them. They may be able to get any other job if the Army has certified that they are capable of a particular job.”

The bench also found the existing insurance schemes insufficient for cadets unable to secure employment post-disablement. It urged the government to enhance and expand coverage, suggesting: “We find the insurance scheme which is currently in existence through which compensation is provided for death or disablement may not be adequate in the context of disablement leading to a situation where the outboarded candidates are unable to seek any other employment. Therefore we request that efforts could be made to enhance the insurance cover for the outboarded cadets and also expand it both quantitatively as well as qualitatively in the form of group insurance based on yearly admissions in NDA and IMA and other such institutions.”

Medical Reassessment and Future Steps

Addressing medical support, the court directed the respondents to consider a scheme for reassessing cadets post-treatment to aid resettlement, stating: “The respondents are requested to consider this submission and accordingly to formulate scheme for medical reassessment once the medical treatment is completed of the outboarded cadets for the purpose of resettlement.” This move aims to ensure that cadets receive fair evaluations to determine their potential for reintegration into the workforce.
The court appreciated the Union Government’s extension of ECHS facilities but stressed the need for a holistic approach. Bhati assured that the armed forces, lacking non-combatant roles, would examine the resettlement issue, and the court permitted counsels for disabled cadets to submit written suggestions, reflecting a collaborative effort to resolve the matter.

Case Details and Next Steps

This suo motu case, titled In Re: Cadets Disabled In Military Training Struggle [SMW(C) No. 6/2025], underscores the court’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of these cadets. With the appointment of Rekha Palli as amicus curiae, the court aims to ensure a thorough examination of the issues. The matter is listed for further hearing on October 7, 2025, offering the government an opportunity to present revised proposals.