Why are only 1.9% of ex-servicemen absorbed in government jobs when there is a provision to hire at least 10%-25% of retired soldiers, members of the Standing Committee on Defence, which includes Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, asked during a meeting on Monday (December 29, 2025).
The committee, headed by BJP’s Radha Mohan Singh, was convened to review “resettlement policies, healthcare facilities and other avenues for ex-servicemen (ESM)”. Mr. Gandhi and other members flagged various challenges faced by ex-servicemen, noting that many find it difficult to get treatment at military hospitals. According to sources, he said that when ex-servicemen are referred to private hospitals, they often face major problems in getting treatment and admission, as several hospitals refuse them treatment citing unpaid government dues.
Ex-servicemen, Mr. Gandhi said, are entitled to receive only ₹75,000 for cancer and kidney failure treatment, which is grossly inadequate. Questioning how these treatments are possible with such a small amount, he suggested that this limit should be increased, sources said.
Some members also said that public sector undertakings (PSUs) should recruit ex-servicemen, as around 60,000 soldiers retire every year. Rehabilitation of retired soldiers is not being ensured, they said.
