New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Central government has notified fresh amendments to the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979, expanding the scope of who qualifies as an ex-serviceman for government employment.
The move is intended to eliminate confusion and ensure uniform recognition of service across various branches and categories of the armed forces. Officials said the revised definition now clearly covers personnel who have served in any rank—combatant or non-combatant—in the Army, Navy or Air Force. The amendment also formally includes members of the Military Nursing Service within its ambit.
The key revision has been made to the definition under Rule 2(c)(i). According to the notification, the government exercised its powers under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution to introduce the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Amendment Rules, 2026.
The amended provisions have come into force with immediate effect from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
The notification was issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. It was signed by Additional Secretary Manoj Kumar Dwivedi.
The original rules were framed in 1979 and have been revised multiple times over the years—in 1986, 1987, 2012 and 2020. The latest changes are expected to widen opportunities for former defence personnel seeking re-employment in Central government services by ensuring consistent recognition of their service.
