- 17-Jun-2025
- Transportation and Traffic Laws
In India, ex-servicemen (military veterans) are provided with certain privileges and opportunities to help them transition into civilian life. One of the significant measures is the reservation policy in public sector jobs. This policy ensures that retired defense personnel are given special consideration for government employment, in recognition of their service to the nation. The objective is to help them integrate into civilian life and provide them with employment opportunities in various government sectors.
Ex-servicemen are entitled to reservation in government jobs across various sectors, including central government, state government, and public sector undertakings (PSUs).
Ex-servicemen are generally given a 3% reservation in Group C and Group D posts, which includes positions in clerical and technical fields. However, the reservation for Group A and Group B positions may not always apply unless specifically stated by the recruiting authority.
In addition to reservation in public sector jobs, ex-servicemen are granted age relaxation in recruitment processes for government jobs. This is particularly beneficial since many ex-servicemen may be older than the typical age limit set for candidates applying for government positions.
The age relaxation varies depending on the category of job. For example, ex-servicemen may receive 3 to 5 years of age relaxation beyond the normal upper age limit.
Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) such as BSNL, ONGC, Indian Oil, and others have special provisions to recruit ex-servicemen. These PSUs often provide direct recruitment or reservations in specific technical and non-technical posts for military veterans.
The reservation in PSUs is typically higher in lower-level posts and clerical roles, with some PSUs offering 5-10% reservation for ex-servicemen, depending on the sector.
In certain cases, ex-servicemen are exempted from appearing for written examinations for specific government positions, particularly for lower-level posts. Instead, they may be selected based on interviews or direct recruitment.
In addition to reservations, ex-servicemen are also given priority in recruitment for certain jobs, especially in sectors related to security, defense, and police services. For example, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Indian Reserve Battalions often give preference to ex-servicemen in their recruitment process.
For military veterans applying for roles that involve physical fitness criteria (such as in police services or security-related posts), ex-servicemen are often given relaxed physical fitness standards to account for the physical toll of military service.
The reservation policy also extends to disabled ex-servicemen. If an ex-serviceman is disabled during military service, they are given additional benefits, including higher priority in employment opportunities and reservation in job categories suitable for disabled individuals.
The reservation policy helps ex-servicemen transition from military service to civilian life by providing them with job opportunities in various government sectors. This support allows them to continue contributing to society in a different capacity and secure financial stability post-service.
The reservation policy is a way to acknowledge the sacrifices made by military personnel during their service. It recognizes their contributions to national security and offers them a fair opportunity to integrate into civilian employment.
The policy ensures that ex-servicemen are not at a disadvantage when competing for government jobs, especially given the differences in age, education, and experience that may arise after transitioning from the military to civilian life. The age relaxation and job reservation ensure that they are not overlooked during recruitment.
The policy helps create employment opportunities for veterans, which is critical for their well-being and social reintegration. Given that many ex-servicemen are trained in specialized skills that are also applicable in civilian sectors, the reservations provide them with the chance to find suitable roles.
Rajiv Kumar, a retired army captain, has been looking for a job in a public sector undertaking (PSU) after his retirement. He applies for a position in Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) under the ex-servicemen reservation. Given his military background and specialized skills, he is able to take advantage of the 3% ex-servicemen quota and is successfully recruited into a technical position. In addition, he is granted age relaxation because he is above the typical age limit for fresh applicants.
The reservation policy for ex-servicemen in public sector jobs ensures that retired military personnel have access to government employment opportunities as they transition to civilian life. By providing reservation, age relaxation, and special recruitment schemes, the policy acknowledges their contributions to national defense and helps them reintegrate into society by offering them a second career in the public sector.
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