Defence Ministry Allows Use Of Military Ranks By Retired Short Service Commission Officers

In a major development, the government has allowed the Short Service Commission (SSC) officers to use their military rank after retirement.

In an statement on Wednesday (24 March), the Ministry of Defence said that it has decided to "allow the retired Short Service Commission (SSC) officers of the Army to use military ranks as applicable".

The SSC officers, after completion of their mandated terms and conditions of service, had not been authorised to use the military ranks.

"This has been causing dissatisfaction and discontentment among the SSC officers who serve under the same service conditions and face similar hardships as Permanent Commission officers with similar Service profile," the Defence Ministry said.

According to the ministry, this decision will not only remove dissatisfaction and discontentment among the retired SSC officers, but will serve as a big boost to the young aspirants.

In addition, this decision will act as morale booster for the existing SSC officers, the ministry added.

The demand for use of military ranks by Short Service Commission (SSC) officers after release from service has been pending since 1983. The SSC officers form the backbone of the support cadre of the Indian Army. They serve for a period of 10-14 years to make up the deficiency of young officers in units.

There have been several attempts of making the SSC attractive. Permission to allow use of military ranks by these officers has been one of their major demands, the ministry said.

Earlier, SSC officers used to serve for a period of five years but now they serve for a tenure of 10 years, which is further extendable by four years.