Life-Changing Relief: Defence Ministry Opens ECHS Medical Care for Cadets Disabled During Training

New Delhi, August 29, 2025 – In a landmark decision, the Ministry of Defence has announced that cadets who suffer permanent disabilities during military training and are discharged on medical grounds will now be allowed to access healthcare under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS). This step, described as a humanitarian intervention, brings long-awaited relief to hundreds of former cadets who had been left without medical support despite being injured while preparing to serve the nation.

Until now, these cadets did not qualify for ECHS facilities because they were not officially commissioned as officers. As a result, they had no free medical cover and had to depend on limited ex-gratia financial support. Their struggles were recently highlighted in an investigative report by The Indian Express, which revealed shocking stories of young cadets battling severe disabilities without proper treatment or financial aid. The Supreme Court soon intervened, and now the government has acted swiftly to close this gap.

What the New Rule Means

The Defence Ministry’s notification makes it clear that all officer cadets who were medically boarded out during training will now be eligible for complete ECHS healthcare.

• They will receive free treatment at military hospitals.
• They can use OPD facilities at ECHS polyclinics.
• They will be allowed cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals.
• Importantly, they will be exempted from the one-time contribution fee of ₹1.2 lakh that ex-servicemen normally pay to join ECHS.

However, these cadets will not be granted ex-serviceman status. The ministry has clarified that the extension of ECHS facilities is a special one-time dispensation and does not alter their official category.

Still, for families that have been crushed under medical bills for years, this decision is a lifeline.

Why This Matters

Cadets enter institutions like the National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Military Academy (IMA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) with the dream of serving the country. Training is extremely tough, and some unfortunately meet with serious injuries, spinal damage, or brain trauma.

Once invalidated from service, these young men were left with only an ex-gratia disability pension – usually between ₹16,000 to ₹40,000 per month, depending on the percentage of disability. In many cases, this amount was not even half of their medical expenses. Families often had to borrow money, sell property, or cut short physiotherapy due to costs.

By giving them access to the well-established ECHS network, which covers nearly 63 lakh beneficiaries through 448 polyclinics and over 3,000 empanelled hospitals, the government has finally acknowledged their sacrifice.

Stories That Shook the Nation

The decision did not come in isolation. It was the result of strong media reporting and judicial intervention.

One powerful case was that of Cadet Vickrant Raj, who suffered a brain hemorrhage during training. He remained in a coma for several months and today depends on full-time care for even the smallest daily tasks. His mother revealed that his monthly treatment cost nearly ₹95,000, but the ex-gratia pension he received was only ₹40,000.

Another tragic example is Cadet Kishan Kulakarni, who also sustained severe disability during training. For almost three years after his discharge, his family could not even afford regular physiotherapy sessions. His mother became his sole caregiver, struggling both emotionally and financially.

Families of these cadets repeatedly appealed that their sons deserved at least free treatment in military hospitals, even if they could not be given ex-servicemen status.

The Indian Express investigation published earlier this month gave voice to these families, showing how nearly 500 cadets since 1985 had faced similar hardships. Between 2021 and mid-2025, NDA alone saw 20 cadets discharged on medical grounds due to training injuries.

The Supreme Court’s Role

The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the issue after the news report. A bench asked the Union government why no comprehensive scheme existed for these cadets who risked their lives during military training.

The Court pointed out that while insurance and pensions existed for serving soldiers, cadets invalidated before commissioning were caught in a “legal vacuum.” They were neither serving officers nor officially ex-servicemen, leaving them without proper cover.

The Court also flagged the need for rehabilitation, better compensation, and a structured support system. It scheduled a further hearing for September 4, 2025, asking the Centre to file a detailed response.

This judicial pressure combined with media attention accelerated the Defence Ministry’s decision, resulting in the August 29 notification extending ECHS care.

Details from the PIB Release

The official press release by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) explained the scope of this new policy. It confirmed:

• ECHS care will cover OPD, IPD, and diagnostic services.
• Cashless treatment will be available at empanelled hospitals.
• The one-time contribution of ₹1.2 lakh will be waived for all such cadets.
• Monthly ex-gratia disability support will continue as per existing rules, ranging from 20% to 100% disability.

The government described this move as a “humanitarian measure recognising the sacrifices of cadets who could not complete service due to medical reasons.”

Voices of Relief

Parents of injured cadets welcomed the news. Many said it was the first step in acknowledging the silent suffering of their children.

“This is the justice we were waiting for. My son gave his health to the nation even before he became an officer. Now at least he will get the treatment he needs,” one parent told reporters.

Veteran groups and defence analysts also applauded the move, though they added that more reforms are needed. Some argued that cadets invalidated due to service-related injuries should also be given a form of honorary ex-serviceman status. Others said a rehabilitation package and employment opportunities should be considered for those capable of limited work.

A Wider Debate on Military Training Safety

The decision has also opened discussions about the safety standards during training. Experts point out that training cadets is meant to be rigorous, but medical infrastructure and post-injury support must match the risks.

Questions have been raised on whether cadets receive timely medical attention, whether insurance policies should be extended to them from Day One, and whether psychological support is available for families after life-altering injuries.

The Supreme Court hearing in September is expected to address some of these systemic gaps, even as the ECHS relief brings immediate comfort.