Govt. extends ECHS benefits to medically boarded-out cadets

The Union government has approved the extension of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) benefits to officer cadets invalidated from training on medical grounds attributable to, or aggravated by, military training.

Cadets who join institutions such as the National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA) with the aspiration to serve the nation often suffer lifelong disabilities. However, since they are not accorded ex-servicemen (ESM) status, they have so far been ineligible for ECHS facilities.

According to Ministry of Defence, the new measure, applicable to cadets medically boarded out before completing training as well as future cases, seeks to ease the humanitarian and financial burden on affected families. Without creating a precedent for other categories, the government has approved quality medical care for such cadets under ECHS, subject to certain conditions. Importantly, the one-time subscription fee of Rs 1.2 lakh, currently applicable to ESM officers, will be waived for these cadets.

While only a small number of cadets are affected each year, their families face significant financial and emotional challenges. Currently, such cadets are granted a monthly ex-gratia payment, along with a disability award ranging from 20% to 100% depending on severity. With the extension of ECHS, they will now have access to cashless and capless healthcare, including free OPD at polyclinics and treatment at empanelled hospitals, the Ministry added.

Launched in April 2003, ECHS provides comprehensive medical care to ex-servicemen and their dependents through 30 Regional Centres, 448 polyclinics and over 3,000 empanelled hospitals across India. With nearly 63 lakh beneficiaries, the scheme has become a vital pillar of veteran welfare—now extended to support young cadets disabled in the line of training.