The bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe delivered a verdict on September 15, 2026, dismissing 271 civil and special leave petitions that challenged orders granting disability pensions to ex‑servicemen. The cases, filed by the Centre, had sought to overturn decisions of the Armed Forces Tribunal and various High Courts that had awarded pensions on the basis that the disabilities were attributable to military service.
In its judgment, the Court cited the 2015 Defence Ministry report, the so‑called Raksha Mantri Report, which had recommended the immediate withdrawal of all pending appeals of this nature against disabled soldiers. The Court noted that the Ministry had accepted the recommendation but had not acted on it, allowing the litigation to continue unchecked.
The Court explained the procedural history: a release medical board had initially declared a veteran’s disability not attributable or aggravated by service, leading to intra‑departmental dismissal. Later, the Armed Forces Tribunal and High Courts reversed that view, granting pensions based on the premise that the disability was linked to service. The Court examined the Entitlement Rules of 1982 and 2008, concluding that the core scheme had not been altered despite the removal of a presumption of service‑attribution.
The decision has left many veterans feeling abandoned and frustrated, as the denial of benefits has become a systemic issue highlighted by the Court’s critique of the Ministry’s inaction. The Court’s ruling underscores the need for transparency and certainty in the pensionary framework.
The bench directed the Armed Forces Tribunal to scrutinize in detail the medical board’s opinions before deciding on pending claims, and to ensure that any future appeals are handled with due weight to the board’s findings. This directive is expected to reshape how disability claims are adjudicated and to force the Ministry to act on the 2015 recommendation. The Court’s judgment therefore marks a decisive step toward restoring confidence in the pension system for former soldiers.