SC appreciates Centre's quick response to medical issues of discharged NDA, IMA cadets

The Supreme Court of Inda has recorded its appreciation for the Union governments' quick response for the issues faced by cadets who were medically discharged during training at elite academies like the NDA and IMA.

A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and PK Mishra today heard the suo motu case registered recently but it. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the bench that a status report had been filed.

As the court was told that the medically discharged cadets were entitle to the facilities under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Justice Nagarathna said, "We appreciate you getting back to us with this so fast..".

"They will be entitled to ECHS facility..all their medical needs would be fully taken care of in poly clinics..", ASG Bhati submitted before court.

On ex-gratia payments, court was informed that in case of death of a cadet INR 12.5 lakhs would be paid as a one-time ex gratia payment and 9000 rupees per month to next of kin.

"There is a constant attendance allowance and also insurance benefit they are getting. From 1992 onwards Air force Army and Navy they have their own insurance which is like a subscription based insurance. So, cadets are included in that as well", the ASG further submitted.

The matter will now be taken up on October 7, The court has appointed former Delhi High Court judge and Senior Advocate Rekha Palli as amicus curiae in the matter.

In its order, the bench went on to record, "The ECHS scheme would be applicable to all invalidated out boarded cadets due to attributability or aggravation by military training. We at the outset appreciate the positive response from the respondents. We have perused the amounts that are provided as ex-gratia per month. Endeavors should be made to enhance the amounts bearing in mind the inflation and price rise.".

Court has also requested the government to formulate a scheme of reassessment for the purpose of resettlement of the out boarded cadets post medical treatment.

On August 18, the Supreme Court had issued notices to the Union of India, Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Social Justice in a suo motu case registered over the plight of officer cadets who were medically discharged during training at elite academies like the NDA and IMA after suffering disabilities that occurred before commissioning, excluding them from ex-servicemen status and benefits under the Ex Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme despite incurring lifelong injuries.

A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan at the outset told the government, "We want you to find out if trainee cadets are covered under any insurance scheme...because they are left high and dry..and what about a lumpsum that is paid to them..".

As the court went ont o deliberate the issues faced by the cadets, it said, "We want brave people to come in the forces, if they are left high and dry they will be disheartened..nobody can predict what will happen after training..".

On the courts' suggestion that these cadets could be given some desk job or any other job to be part of the forces, not in the field, ASG Bhati clarified, "In the army, navy and air force there are no non-combatants..every person on desks are also combatants...".

According to media reports, since 1985, approximately 500 cadets have been discharged on medical grounds and are struggling with escalating medical bills even as the only support they receive is a monthly ex gratia payment of up to ₹40,000, an amount that falls far short of basic needs while average medical expenses alone often exceed ₹50,000 per month. At the NDA alone, around 20 cadets were discharged on medical grounds between 2021 and July 2025.

A media report brought attention to the fact that although Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal to increase compensation, that file remains stuck in bureaucratic limbo. Former service chiefs including General M M Naravane (retd) and Admiral Arun Prakash (retd) have urged that the government should absorb the cost of lifelong care, ensure robust health insurance, and treat compensation as an entitlement, not charity, and that training institutions must guarantee safety and fitness while also exploring whether cadets disabled during training should be granted ex servicemen status.

Case Title: In Re: Cadets Disabled in Military Training Struggle

Hearing date: September 4, 2025

Bench: Justices B V Nagarathna and Prashant Kumar Mishra