Disabled Soldier Reservation in Government Jobs: Complete Guide for Ex-Servicemen
India has established a comprehensive reservation framework to facilitate the rehabilitation and re-employment of disabled soldiers after their military service. Thousands of veterans who suffer disabilities attributable to or aggravated by military service become eligible for special employment reservations, age relaxations, educational concessions and priority recruitment benefits.
However, confusion often exists regarding the difference between Disabled Ex-Servicemen (DESM) reservation and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) reservation under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
This detailed report explains the reservation system available to disabled soldiers in Central Government jobs, PSU Banks, CPSUs, autonomous bodies and State Government services.
Constitutional and Legal Framework
The reservation benefits available to disabled ex-servicemen are governed by:
- Article 309 of the Constitution of India
- Ex-Servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979
- Various DoPT instructions
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016
- Recruitment policies of PSU Banks and CPSUs
- State Government Ex-Servicemen Welfare Policies
The objective is to ensure smooth rehabilitation of military personnel who have suffered disability during service.
Who is a Disabled Ex-Serviceman (DESM)?
A disabled ex-serviceman is generally a person who:
- Served in the Armed Forces.
- Was discharged due to disability.
- The disability is attributable to or aggravated by military service.
- Has been assessed by a Military Medical Board.
The disability may arise from:
- War operations
- Counter-insurgency operations
- Border deployment
- High altitude service
- Peace-time military duties
- Training accidents
- Service-related illnesses
What is the Disability Percentage Required?
This is where most confusion arises.
Military Disability Standard
For disabled ex-servicemen reservation, a disability of: 20% or More is generally sufficient for recognition as a disabled ex-serviceman for re-employment purposes. This threshold is lower than civilian disability standards. For IBPS and SBI Recruitment, they accept 40% or more disability only.
Civilian Benchmark Disability Standard
Under the RPwD Act, 2016: 40% or More Disability is required to be recognized as a Person with Benchmark Disability (PwBD)
Only then can a person avail reservation benefits under the disability quota.
Difference Between DESM and PwBD Reservation
| Particulars | Disabled Ex-Serviceman (DESM) | PwBD |
| Governing Authority | Ministry of Defence | Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities |
| Disability Threshold | 20% or more | 40% or more |
| Certificate Issuing Authority | Military Medical Board | Civil Medical Authority / UDID |
| Reservation Type | ESM Reservation | Disability Reservation |
| Promotion Reservation | Not available automatically | Available under PwBD |
| Applicable To | Disabled Veterans | All citizens with benchmark disability |
Reservation in Central Government Jobs
Reservations for ex-servicemen operate as horizontal reservations.
This means:
A selected candidate is adjusted against his or her:
- General Category
- SC Category
- ST Category
- OBC Category
- EWS Category
while simultaneously receiving ESM reservation benefits.
Central Government ESM Reservation
Group C Posts
10% Reservation
Group D Posts
20% Reservation
CAPFs and Central Armed Police Forces
Up to the level of Assistant Commandant:
10% Reservation
is provided for Ex-Servicemen.
Priority-I Status for Disabled Ex-Servicemen
Disabled soldiers receive the highest preference in recruitment.
Priority-I Category Includes
Veterans:
- Disabled during war
- Disabled during counter-insurgency operations
- Disabled due to service-related causes
- Medically boarded out due to attributable disability
These candidates are given first consideration under ESM reservation.
What is Priority-II Status?
Priority-II generally includes:
- Dependents of soldiers killed in action
- Dependents of soldiers severely disabled in service
- Family members of battle casualties
These candidates are considered after Priority-I candidates.
Reservation in PSU Banks
Public Sector Banks provide higher reservation percentages.
Group C (Clerical Cadre)
14.5% Reservation
for Ex-Servicemen.
Group D (Subordinate Staff)
24.5% Reservation
for Ex-Servicemen.
Special 4.5% Sub-Quota in PSU Banks
Within the overall ESM reservation, a dedicated:
4.5% Reservation
exists for:
- Disabled Ex-Servicemen
- Dependents of personnel killed in action
Priority Order in PSU Banks
First Priority
Disabled Ex-Servicemen
Second Priority
Dependents of:
- Battle casualties
- Personnel killed in action
- Personnel severely disabled during service
This system is followed in major recruitments conducted through banking agencies.
Reservation in CPSUs and Government Autonomous Bodies
Most Central Public Sector Undertakings and Autonomous Bodies follow DoPT guidelines.
Examples include:
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
- National Thermal Power Corporation
- Power Grid Corporation of India
- Coal India Limited
These organizations generally adopt:
- Central Government ESM reservation policies
- PwBD reservation policies
- Age relaxation provisions
- Educational concessions
Can Disabled Veterans Avail PwBD Reservation Also?
Yes, but only if they satisfy the benchmark disability requirement.
Military Disability = 20%
Eligible for DESM benefits only.
Disability = 40% or More
Eligible for:
- DESM Reservation
- PwBD Reservation
- Promotion Reservation under RPwD Act
subject to applicable rules.
Promotion Reservation for Disabled Veterans
A disabled veteran who possesses:
40% or More Benchmark Disability
may claim benefits under PwBD reservation in promotions.
Currently:
4% Reservation
exists for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in government employment.
This applies in:
- Group C
- Group B
- Entry levels of Group A
as per prevailing government rules.
How is Combined Disability Calculated?
Many veterans suffer multiple disabilities.
The government does not simply add disability percentages.
For multiple disabilities, the combined disability formula is:
Combined Disability = a + b(90-a)/90
Where:
- a = higher disability percentage
- b = lower disability percentage
Example
20% + 20%
does not become 40%.
Actual combined disability will be lower.
This prevents artificial inflation of disability percentages.
Documents Required to Claim Disabled Ex-Servicemen Reservation
Applicants generally need:
Mandatory Documents
- Discharge Book
- PPO (where applicable)
- Ex-Servicemen Identity Card
- Disability Certificate issued by Military Medical Board/ Copy of RMB (Finalised)
- Battle Casualty Certificate (if applicable)
- Medical Board Proceedings
- Character Certificate
- Service Certificate
For PwBD Benefits
Additional documents may include:
- Benchmark Disability Certificate
- UDID Card
- Civil Medical Authority Certificate
Age Relaxation for Disabled Ex-Servicemen
Most Central Government recruitments follow:
Military Service + 3 Years Formula
Example:
- Age = 45 years
- Military Service = 20 years
Age for eligibility may be reduced by:
20 + 3 = 23 years
Resulting age for recruitment purposes:
45 – 23 = 22 years
subject to maximum permissible age limits.
Maximum Age Limits in PSU Banks
Many PSU Banks allow:
Up to 50 Years
for eligible Ex-Servicemen.
Insurance Sector CPSUs
Typically allow:
Up to 45 Years
subject to recruitment rules.
Educational Relaxations
A major concession available to veterans is:
Matriculation + 15 Years Service treated equivalent to graduation for many clerical and support posts. This significantly improves employment opportunities for retired soldiers.
Special Leave for Disabled Veterans
Re-employed disabled veterans are generally entitled to : 15 Days Special Casual Leave Annually
for:
- Medical Resurvey Boards
- Artificial Limb Centres
- Disability reassessment
- Rehabilitation treatment
State Government Reservation Policies
States implement their own reservation systems.
Some states provide:
- Separate DESM reservation
- Priority categories
- Family reservation
- Land allotment schemes
- Employment exchanges for veterans
Haryana Model: A Unique Example
Haryana follows a structured four-tier priority system.
First Priority
Disabled Ex-Servicemen
Second Priority
General Ex-Servicemen
Third Priority
Dependents of disabled soldiers and battle casualties
Fourth Priority
Other ESM family members
Single Benefit Principle
In Haryana:
If one family member secures a government job through ESM reservation, future reservation benefits for the family may cease.
This prevents repeated utilization of reservation benefits within the same family.
Important Supreme Court and High Court Principle
Courts have consistently held:
Merit Cannot Be Ignored
In competitive examinations:
- Selection is based on merit.
- Priority status cannot override examination performance.
Priority categories mainly apply during:
- Direct recruitment
- Employment exchange sponsorship
- Non-competitive recruitment processes
Key Takeaways
Disabled Ex-Servicemen need only 20% service-attributable disability for DESM benefits. PwBD benefits require 40% benchmark disability.
Central Government provides 10% reservation in Group C and 20% in Group D posts. PSU Banks provide 14.5% reservation in Group C and 24.5% in Group D.
A special 4.5% sub-quota exists for disabled ex-servicemen and dependents of battle casualties. Disabled veterans receive Priority-I status in recruitment.
Veterans with 40% or more benchmark disability can additionally claim PwBD reservation and promotion benefits. Age relaxation, educational equivalence, special leave and pay fixation benefits significantly improve re-employment prospects for disabled soldiers.