To recognise the role and contribution of the Military Nursing Service (MNS), the Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, has extended Ex-Servicemen (ESM) status to the MNS officers.
The recognition follows an amendment made to the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979, notified on February 10, 2026. The amendment modified Section 2(c)(i) of the Rules to include the Indian MNS within the definition of an Ex-Servicemen.
The revision now covers personnel who have served in any rank, whether as a combatant or non-combatant, in the Regular Army, Navy, Air Force or the Military Nursing Service. This places the MNS officers on an equal statutory footing with other uniformed services for post-retirement benefits.
Along with the Army Medical Corps and Army Dental Corps, MNS is an integral component of the Armed Forces Medical Services, with officers commissioned to serve across Army, Navy and Air Force medical establishments. They deliver critical nursing care in military hospitals, provide medical support during operations and emergencies, and attend to casualties in challenging and often hostile environments.
With the amendment in place, MNS officers retiring or being released from service will become eligible for all benefits available to Ex-Servicemen under the government policy. This includes access to reservation quotas that cover 10% posts in Group “C” and 20% in Group “D” of central government posts.
MNS officers will now also be able to avail of age concessions in Central Civil Services and Posts. This will allow them to deduct the years of military service plus three years from their actual age for civil job eligibility. Other associated measures for ex-servicemen will also be available to MNS officers post-retirement. The reforms are expected to benefit MNS officers with immediate effect.
