In a move that will benefit former defence personnel, the Centre today amended rules to broaden the definition of “ex-servicemen” for re-employment in central services.

Officials said the amendment was aimed at removing ambiguity and ensuring uniform recognition of service rendered across different branches and categories of the armed forces, including Military Nursing Service, for the purpose of re-employment.

The key change relates to the definition under Rule 2(c)(i) of the 1979 Rules. The amended provision now explicitly includes persons who have served in any rank–whether as combatant or non-combatant–in the Army, Navy or Air Force, as well as those who have served in the Military Nursing Service.

According to a notification issued today, the government exercised powers under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution to promulgate the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Amendment Rules, 2026.

The amended rules come into force with immediate effect from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, through the Department of Personnel and Training, notified amendments to the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979, with the objective of widening the scope of eligibility for re-employment in Central Government services.

The notification was issued by the Department of Personnel and Training and signed by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Additional Secretary. The principal rules were originally notified in 1979 and have been amended periodically in 1986, 1987, 2012 and 2020.