Can Ex-Servicemen with Military Benefits Get ESIC Exemption? Exploring the Process

If an ex-serviceman (from any of the military services) takes up a job after voluntary retirement with all post-retirement perks, facilities, and benefits given to him by the military, and then wants to apply for an exemption from ESIC since he already has a military medical card covering all his declared dependents and direct blood relatives for all possible diseases and injuries, is it possible? Here, for assumption purposes, we are considering his gross salary to be less than Rs. 15,000 per month. In case such an exemption is possible, what are the processes that need to be followed by the employee/employer to obtain this exemption?

1. Ex-servicemen retired from the defense forces are not exempt from the purview of the ESI Act, 1948, and the rules/regulations framed thereunder.

2. The status of such employees will be as good as that of a normal employee and thus coverable/covered if their wages are within the coverable limit as per the wage ceiling.

3. However, necessary clarification can be sought from the appropriate Branch Office or Regional Office of ESIC, if desired.