Govt Extends ECHS Facilities to Medically Boarded-Out Officer Cadets

• Govt extends ECHS coverage to officer cadets invalidated during training.
• Cadets to get cashless, capless healthcare without subscription fee.
• Move addresses humanitarian concerns and lifelong disabilities faced by cadets.
• ECHS network serves 63 lakh beneficiaries with 3,000+ hospitals nationwide.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 30th Aug: The Government has approved the extension of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) facilities to officer cadets who are medically boarded out during training on grounds attributable to or aggravated by military service.

Until now, such cadets, despite suffering lifelong disabilities, were not eligible for ECHS as they were not granted ex-servicemen (ESM) status. The new provision aims to address this humanitarian gap and provide quality medical care for affected cadets and their families.

Key Conditions for Availing ECHS Facilities

• Cadets must apply for ECHS membership and comply with scheme rules.
• Facility will be available only for the individual cadet.
• Free OPD services from ECHS polyclinics.
• Cashless OPD/IPD/investigations in empanelled hospitals.
• Cadet must not be a member of any other government health scheme.
• No one-time subscription fee (₹1.20 lakh applicable to ESM officers) will be charged.

Relief for Families Facing Disability Burden

The government noted that while only a small number of cadets are affected annually, the financial and emotional burden on their families is significant. Presently, such cadets receive a monthly ex-gratia payment and a disability award (20%–100%) based on severity. With this approval, they will now be eligible for cashless and capless healthcare facilities under ECHS.

About ECHS

Launched in April 2003, ECHS provides comprehensive healthcare to ex-servicemen and their dependents by leveraging Armed Forces medical facilities and a wide network of private and government hospitals. Currently, the scheme operates through 30 Regional Centres, 448 Polyclinics, and 3,000+ empanelled healthcare organisations, serving over 63 lakh beneficiaries nationwide.