The ex-servicemen of India are entitled to avail of the reservation and relaxation facility while applying for eligible Central Sarkari Naukri. The reservation is meant to assist the Armed Forces personnel who wish to become employed civilians after serving their term in the military. The rules that govern such facilities include Ex-Servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979, and other amendments and government guidelines.
The reservation mainly concerns certain Group C & Group D vacancies and some Central Armed Police Forces. The candidates have to satisfy all the eligibility criteria and go through the necessary selection process.
Ex-Servicemen Quota: Latest Update 2026
The Government of India promulgated the amended rule for 2 (c) (i) Ex-Servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 2026 in order to amend the definition of ex-servicemen. The amended rules were made public on 9th February 2026.
As per the new rule, individuals who have served in any rank either combat or non-combat in the Regular Army, Navy, Air Force or MNS in the Indian Union are considered ex-servicemen provided that all other terms of the rules are fulfilled. This is how the MNS was declared eligible for benefits of ex-servicemen.
Ex-Servicemen Reservation Policy in Central Government Jobs
The Central Government gives Horizontal Reservation for eligible Ex-Servicemen in the following direct recruitment vacancies.
Group C Posts: 10% reservation for eligible Ex-Servicemen.
Group D Posts: 20% reservation for eligible Ex-Servicemen.
CAPF Posts up to Assistant Commandant: 10% reservation in applicable recruitments.
This percentage is for eligible vacancies in terms of government instructions. This reservation is applicable on applicable direct recruitment vacancies and not necessarily on the sanctioned strength of the department.
Reservation for Ex-Servicemen is Horizontal, which means that eligible candidates can get this reservation along with SC, ST, OBC or other categories' reservations according to the recruitment rules.
For Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) and public sector banks, different provisions of reservation may be there. For example, the common provision for direct recruitment is 14.5% for Group C posts and 24.5% for Group D posts, along with some provisions for disabled Ex-Servicemen or dependents of personnel killed in action.
Who Is Eligible for the Ex-Servicemen Quota?
Eligibility will be determined by the definition available under the appropriate rules. In general, ex-servicemen consist of personnel who have served in the Regular Army, Navy, or Air Force and were either released or discharged under certain recognized conditions.
In view of the 2026 amendment, eligible personnel of the Military Nursing Service are also included.
The candidates need to keep in mind the following points:
The nature of Discharge/Release will determine the eligibility of the candidates.
Personnel who have been dismissed or discharged from service due to disciplinary action may not be eligible.
The candidates must meet the eligibility criteria with regard to educational qualifications.
Eligibility for State Government vacancies may have different reservation rules.
Armed Forces personnel serving in the Forces need to fulfill the relevant conditions before applying for civilian positions.
Age Relaxation for Ex-Servicemen
Ex-servicemen who qualify for relaxation of age can benefit from such relaxation in recruitment under the Central Government.
For positions in Group C and Group D, the general age-relaxation equation is:
Military service period + 3 years
According to the relevant rules, the tenure of actual military service is subtracted from the actual age of the candidate. This age should not be higher than the prescribed upper-age limit by more than three years.
In some recruitments in Group A and Group B, the rule may be different. Thus, candidates should refer to the notification in connection with recruitment and not assume the formula in all government examinations.
Documents Required for ESM Reservation
Valid documentation should be submitted by the candidates as evidence of military experience and eligibility. The following are some of the documents generally asked for:
Discharge certificate or discharge book.
Ex-serviceman identity card, if necessary.
Military service documents.
Pension Payment Order (PPO), if necessary.
Educational qualifications.
Proof of date of birth.
Caste certificate, if necessary.
Disability/dependency certificate, if necessary.
The requirement of documents depends on the recruiting agency.
How to Apply for Sarkari Naukri Under the Ex-Servicemen Quota?
The eligible ex-servicemen can submit their applications for government jobs using the recruitment website of the respective organization.
1. Search for Government Job Advertisements
Search for the vacancies posted on the official websites of the Staff Selection Commission, railway recruitment boards, PSUs, and respective government organizations which mention ex-servicemen reservation or age relaxation.
2. Confirm Eligibility Criteria
Examine the eligibility criteria from the advertisement of the government vacancy announcement. This will help in verifying whether the post falls under the ESM reservation category or not.
3. Fill the Application Form
Register yourself on the official recruitment website and fill in your details regarding your personal, educational, and military service details. Select the ESM quota if you are eligible.
4. Claim Age Relaxation
Fill in your military service details accurately so that you can avail yourself of the required age relaxation.
5. Submit Required Documents
Upload the documents required as per the notice. Certain agencies involved in recruitment might need such documents only at the time of document verification.
6. Complete the Selection Procedure
Submit your application form by the due date and appear for the prescribed test(s)/physical test/examination etc., wherever necessary.
Reservation of seats cannot assure you of selection. The candidates have to fulfill all the criteria for selection.
Conclusion
Ex-Servicemen Quota in Sarkari Naukri gives eligible ex-servicemen reservation and age relaxation facilities in eligible government jobs. In the amendment to the act in 2026, it was made clear that the eligible ex-Military Nursing Service would be considered under ex-servicemen. It is advisable for applicants to be aware of their eligibility and have all documents in place.
