Overview

• The court took suo motu cognisance of an Indian Express investigation and issued notices to the Defence and Finance ministries, the Social Justice ministry, the Chief of Defence Staff and the three service chiefs.
• Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan asked the government to examine group insurance for trainees and potential enhancement of the current ex-gratia and medical support.
• The bench proposed reassessment of injured cadets after treatment and explored rehabilitation or non-field roles, with officials to study options under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
• Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said she will consult departments and file a detailed affidavit, as some reports noted limited scope for non-combatant roles within the forces.
• Reporting cited about 500 medical discharges since 1985 and roughly 20 at the NDA since 2021, with affected cadets lacking ex-serviceman status and ECHS access, and an earlier expansion proposal pending with the Finance Ministry.