Background & Policy Context Office Memorandum: 1 February 2006 “Recruits boarded out/released on medical grounds and granted medical/disability pension shall be covered under the category of ‘Ex‑servicemen’ for all practical purposes. DOP&T Notification & 2013 Clarification Removal of Cut-Off Date (2014) Key Provisions: Summary Table Provision / Date Rationale / Scope 01 Feb 2006 OM Initial policy: grants ESM status to boarded-out recruits with disability pension 10 Oct 2012 DOP&T Notification Statutory recognition via Gazette notification G.S.R. 757(E) 18 Mar 2013 MoD OM Reiterated 2006 policy, directed ZSBs/RSBs to issue ESM cards from 2006 onward 07 Jul 2014 MoD Letter Removed retrospective cut-off — extends status to all prior cases Operational Impact & Implementation Status Challenges and Legal Developments Broader Policy & Cadet Status (Not Within Scope) Practical Guidance for Stakeholders  Conclusion For further reading, you may refer to the original OMs [No. 12(1)/2005/D(Res‑I), dated 1 Feb 2006], the MoD letter of 18 Mar 2013, and the 2014 retrenchment of the retrospective clause.