**Policy Summary: Extension of ECHS Facilities to Medically Boarded-Out Officer Cadets**
The Government of India, through the Ministry of Defence, has extended the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) facilities to officer cadets medically invalidated from military training due to conditions attributable to or aggravated by said training. This policy addresses the gap in healthcare coverage for cadets from institutions like the National Defence Academy (NDA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), and Indian Military Academy (IMA) who, despite suffering lifelong disabilities during training, were previously ineligible for ECHS due to their lack of ex-servicemen status.
This extension applies to cadets medically boarded out prior to training completion and extends to future similar cases. The policy aims to provide quality medical care, acknowledging the humanitarian aspect and financial strain on affected families, without setting a precedent for other categories.
**Conditions for availing ECHS:**
1. Application for ECHS membership and acceptance of ECHS rules.
2. Facility available for the individual only.
3. Free Outpatient Department (OPD) services at ECHS Polyclinics.
4. Cashless OPD/Inpatient Department (IPD) services and investigations at ECHS-empanelled hospitals.
5. The individual should not be a member of any other Government Health Scheme.
Notably, the one-time subscription fee of Rs. 1.20 lakhs, typically applicable to ESM officers, is waived for these officer cadets. While the number of affected cadets is small annually, the financial and emotional impact on their families is significant. This initiative complements existing monthly ex-gratia payments and disability awards (based on disability extent, ranging from 20% to 100%) by providing access to cashless and capless healthcare under ECHS.
ECHS, launched in April 2003, currently serves approximately 6.3 million ex-servicemen and their dependents through a network of 30 Regional Centres (RC), 448 Polyclinics (PC), and 3000 Empanelled Health Care Organisations nationwide.
Key Entities Referenced
Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS): A health scheme extended to officer cadets invalidated from training on medical grounds.
Ministry of Defence: The government ministry that approved the extension of ECHS facilities.
National Defence Academy (NDA): A prestigious military training institution.
Officers Training Academy (OTA): A prestigious military training institution.
Indian Military Academy (IMA): A prestigious military training institution.
Armed Forces: The military forces of the Government.
ECHS Polyclinics: Facilities providing free OPD services under the ECHS scheme.
Regional Centres (RC): There are 30 ECHS regional centres
Ministry of Defence
Government extends ECHS Facilities for Medically
Boarded-Out Officer Cadets from military training
Posted On: 29 AUG 2025 4:00PM by PIB Delhi
Reaffirming its commitment to the dignity and well-being of the armed forces, the
Government has approved the extension of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS)
facility to officer cadets who are invalidated from training on medical grounds attributable to or
aggravated by military training. Cadets who join prestigious institutions like NDA, OTA and IMA with
the aspiration to serve the nation, often suffer lifelong disabilities but are currently not eligible for
ECHS as they are not granted ex-servicemen (ESM) status.
This measure is applicable to cadets who have been medically boarded out prior to completion of
training and is also extendable to future similar cases. Considering the humanitarian nature and financial
burden on families, the Government has approved quality medical care for such cadets without creating a
precedent for other categories. The grant of ECHS facilities shall be subject to the following conditions:
1. Apply for membership of ECHS and accept ECHS rules
2. Avail facility for individual only
3. Avail free OPD services from ECHS Polyclinics
4. Avail cashless OPD/IPD/Investigations in ECHS empanelled Hospitals
5. Should not be member of any other Government Health Scheme
The one-time subscription fee (i.e Rs1.20 lacs currently applicable to ESM officers) will not be
charged from the officer cadets towards joining the ECHS Scheme.
While a small number of cadets annually are affected, the financial and emotional burden on their
families is significant. In such instances, the practice is to extend a monthly ex-gratia payment to such
cadets. In addition, based on the extent of disability (20% to 100%), a monthly ex-gratia disability award is
also made available to such cadets. With this approval, these cadets will now be eligible for availing cashless
and capless healthcare facilities under ECHS.
ECHS was launched in April 2003 for Ex-servicemen and their dependents by utilizing the existing
medical infrastructure of Armed Forces and private empanelled/ government hospitals across the country. It
has 30 Regional Centres (RC) and 448 Polyclinics (PCs) pan India with a total beneficiary base of
approximately 63 lakhs. It has 3000+ Empanelled Health Care organisations under its network.
*****
VK/SR/PC
(Release ID: 2161838)