Clearing the ambiguity whether Military Nursing Service (MNS) officers, who are commissioned officers, were entitled to the same re-employment benefits as other veterans, the government has notified the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services & Posts) Amendment Rules 2026, under Article 309 of the Constitution.
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The key change revises Rule 2(c)(i) to clearly include the personnel who have served in any rank, whether combatant or non-combatant, in the Regular Army, Navy or Air Force, as well as the MNS within the definition framework for ex-servicemen re-employment in the Central Civil Services.
According to a defence ministry release, the amendment formally recognises the MNS personnel under the re-employment rules, and strengthens rehabilitation and second-career opportunities for a wider segment of former defence personnel.
Under the Rule 2, Clause (c) Amendment, the definition of ‘ex-servicemen’ now explicitly lists the ‘Military Nursing Service of the Indian Union’ alongside the Regular Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The rule applies to anyone who has served in any rank, whether as a combatant or non-combatant. The amendment came into force immediately upon its publication on February 09, 2026.
This amendment formally grants the MNS personnel access to:
Reservation quotas: 10 per cent in Group 'C' and 20 per cent in Group 'D' central government posts.
Age relaxation: The ability to deduct the years of military service plus 3 years from their actual age for civil job eligibility.
Employment priority: Equal standing with other ex-servicemen in the eyes of the Union Public Service Commission and Staff Selection Commission.
