Rules amended: Ex-Servicemen status to officers of Military Nursing Service

NEW DELHI: The Government of India has amended the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979. With this, the Ex-Servicemen (ESM) status has been restored for the officers of the Military Nursing Service (MNS) who served in various ranks in the armed forces. The MNS officers, who are commissioned officers, will be eligible for re-employment benefits like other ex-servicemen from now on.

There will be 10% reservation in Group C and 20% in Group D in central government posts, age relaxation in civil services and consideration in UPSC and SSC jobs. The Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) had earlier withdrawn the status of MNS officers, thus depriving the ex-servicemen of their benefits.

This was a long-standing demand of the MNS Veteran Officers Association of India. The association said that the government's decision is a significant victory for the MNS officers for equal rights and recognition.