Ex-servicemen (ESM) retire relatively early—well before the standard retirement age in civilian employment—making re-employment a critical socio-economic requirement. However, due to age-related limitations, they often face challenges competing in open job markets. Recognizing this, the Government of India has put in place structured reservation and age relaxation benefits to facilitate their transition into civil services and government jobs.
Let’s delve into the detailed provisions of Ex-Servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979, as amended in 2012, which outline eligibility, reservation quotas, and age relaxations for ex-servicemen.
Who is an Ex-Serviceman? (As per Amended Rule 2(c))
An ex-serviceman is defined as a person who has served in any rank—combatant or non-combatant—in the Regular Army, Navy, or Air Force, and:
- Retired or discharged after earning a pension, or
- Released on medical grounds attributable to military service or circumstances beyond control and awarded a medical or disability pension, or
- Released due to reduction in establishment, or
- Completed a fixed engagement period (not on own request) and received gratuity, or
- Is from the Territorial Army and is a pension holder for continuous or broken spells of qualifying service, or
- Served in Army Postal Service and retired without reverting to parent cadre, or released on medical grounds, or served on deputation prior to 14 April 1987 for more than six months, or
- Is a gallantry award winner of the Armed Forces (including Territorial Army), or
- Is an ex-recruit boarded out on medical grounds and granted disability pension.
Scope of Application (Rule 3)
These rules apply to:
- All Central Civil Services and Posts, and
- All Para-Military Forces, up to the level of Assistant Commandant.
Reservation of Vacancies (Rule 4)
Reservation for Ex-servicemen is applicable in direct recruitment as follows:
| Category of Post | Reservation for ESM |
|---|---|
| Group ‘A’ (Assistant Commandant in CAPFs) | 10% |
| Group ‘C’ Posts | 10% |
| Group ‘D’ Posts | 20% |
- Includes both permanent and temporary vacancies (lasting more than 3 months or likely to be made permanent).
- SC/ST/OBC candidates selected against ESM quota shall be adjusted against respective category reservations. If such category vacancies are not available, they will be adjusted in future.
Unfilled Reserved Vacancies:
If any reserved vacancy in Central Para Military Forces remains unfilled due to non-availability of eligible ex-servicemen, it may be filled from the non-ESM category.
Age Relaxation Provisions (Rule 5)
1. For Group B (Non-Gazetted), Group C, and Group D Posts:
- Actual Military Service can be deducted from the candidate’s actual age.
- If the resultant age does not exceed the maximum age limit by more than 3 years, the candidate is considered eligible.
2. For Group A & B Posts (Not through Open Competitive Exam):
- Relaxation = Length of Military Service + 3 years
3. For Group A & B Posts (Through All India Competitive Exams):
Relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit, provided the ex-serviceman:
- Has served at least 5 years in the Armed Forces,
- Has been released:
- On completion of assignment (or due to be completed within 1 year),
- Not dismissed/discharged on misconduct or inefficiency,
- Or released due to physical disability/invalidation attributable to military service.
Conclusion
These re-employment rules and relaxations serve as a crucial support system for ex-servicemen reintegrating into the workforce. By offering reservations in vacancies and generous age relaxations, the Government of India recognizes their service and provides them with a meaningful second career option in civil administration and paramilitary forces.
Ex-servicemen are encouraged to apply for Central Government posts, especially in Group C and D categories and Para Military Services, where they have considerable advantage due to reservation benefits and age relaxation.
Notification Reference:
Government of India Notification dated 4th October 2012
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
File No. 36034/1/AM-Estt(SCT)
(Manoj Joshi, Joint Secretary to the Government of India)
