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Supreme Court Gives Defence, Finance Ministries Two Weeks on Injured Cadet Benefits, Threatens to Summon Secretaries

The bench tied the unresolved benefits decision to the ongoing Finance Act, 2026 window for funding.

Overview

  • Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan rebuked the government for inaction after the court’s January 20 order that granted six weeks to decide.
  • Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said the Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs backed measures for boarded‑out cadets, yet no final decision has been made by the two ministries.
  • The court noted that budget decisions under the Finance Act, 2026 are pending and pressed the government on the absence of a specific provision for these benefits.
  • The order allows two weeks for action and lists the case on March 24 at 2 pm, with a warning that the Defence and Finance Secretaries may be summoned if there is no progress.
  • The proceedings focus on cadets discharged after training injuries who lack recognised status and comparable support, with the court noting roughly 40 such cases annually and minimal fiscal impact.