In India, the term Ex Servicemen (ESM) is not just a title – it’s a recognition of service, sacrifice, and dedication to the nation. But the exact definition of who qualifies as an ex servicemen has changed over the years. The Government of India has released several notifications over the years, each updating and clarifying the eligibility criteria..
This article explains the official definition of Ex Servicemen in simple terms so that every soldier, veteran, and family member can understand.
Who is an Ex Servicemen?
In simple words, an Ex Serviceman is a person who has served in the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force) in any rank – whether as a combatant (fighting role) or non-combatant (support role) – and has been released under certain conditions.
This release could be after completing the terms of service, on medical grounds related to service, or with pension or gratuity.
However, it does not include those dismissed or discharged due to misconduct or inefficiency.
How the Definition Has Changed Over Time
Over the years, the rules for who is considered an ex servicemen have been updated. Here’s a simple timeline:
1. Between 1 July 1966 and 30 June 1968
- Any person who served in any rank (combatant or not) and was released for reasons other than dismissal/misconduct.
- No minimum service length mentioned.
As per the authority vested under the Ministry of Home Affairs Notification dated 11 October 1966
2. Between 1 July 1968 and 30 June 1971
- Must have served for at least 6 months in any rank.
- Released for reasons other than dismissal/misconduct.
3. Between 1 July 1971 and 30 June 1974
- Similar to 1966–1968 rule: No minimum service requirement.
- Release must be for valid reasons other than misconduct.
4. Between 1 July 1974 and 30 June 1979
- Minimum 6 months service after attestation.
- Release for valid reasons other than misconduct.
5. Between 1 July 1979 and 30 June 1987
- 6 months service required (if discharged for reasons other than at own request).
- 5 years service required if discharged at own request.
6. On or After 1 July 1987
- Any rank, combatant or not.
- Must have been released:
- With any kind of pension from Defence Budget, or
- After completing terms of engagement with gratuity, not at own request, or
- On medical grounds attributable to service.
Also includes:
- Territorial Army pension holders (continuous service, gallantry award winners, or disability pensioners).
- Army Postal Service personnel retired directly from APS with pension/disability pension.
7. On or After 10 October 2012 – Present Definition
An Ex Servicemen is someone who:
- Has rendered service in the Regular Army, Navy, or Air Force and:
- Retired with pension, or
- Released on medical/disability grounds attributable to service, or
- Released due to reduction in establishment, or
- Completed specific engagement period with gratuity (not at own request).
- Includes:
- Territorial Army pensioners for continuous embodied service.
- Personnel of the Army Postal Service who are in receipt of a pension or disability pension
- Ex-recruits boarded out with disability pension (irrespective of date).
Note: The eligibility is based on the definition in force at the time of discharge – changes later do not affect past cases.
Why This Definition Matters
The definition of Ex Servicemen is crucial because it decides who can:
- Apply for reserved government jobs.
- Avail pensionary and welfare benefits.
- Get priority in certain schemes for veterans.
Example in Simple Terms
Think of it like this:
If you served in the Armed Forces, your eligibility for ESM benefits depends not only on your service but also on the rules that were in place when you retired. A soldier retiring in 1975 and another retiring in 2015 will both be called Ex servicemen, but the qualifying rules they fall under are different.
Conclusion
The Definition of Ex Servicemen in India has evolved over the decades to include more categories and special cases like Territorial Army, Army Postal Service, and medically boarded-out recruits.
If you are a veteran or a family member, always check the exact definition that applied at the time of discharge to know your eligibility for benefits and opportunities.
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