UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — MNS officers to be eligible for re-employment benefits

Q1. In the context of the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services & Posts) Amendment Rules, 2026, the Military Nursing Service (MNS) is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A civilian nursing cadre under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare deputed to military hospitals
  • B. A corps of commissioned officers of the Indian Army providing nursing care in service hospitals
  • C. A paramilitary nursing wing under the Ministry of Home Affairs attached to the Assam Rifles
  • D. An auxiliary volunteer reserve of the Indian Army Medical Corps recruited only during wartime

Q2. The Military Nursing Service (MNS), which has been formally included in the definition of 'ex-serviceman' by the 2026 amendment, holds which one of the following distinctions?

  • A. It is the oldest organised military nursing service in India, raised in 1888
  • B. It was the first all-women commissioned corps raised after Independence in 1948
  • C. It is the largest non-combatant arm of the Indian Navy raised in 1947
  • D. It was the first tri-service nursing cadre constituted in 1962 after the Sino-Indian war

Q3. With reference to the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services & Posts) Amendment Rules, 2026 as compared to the parent Rules of 1979, consider the following statements: 1. The 2026 amendment modifies Rule 2(c)(i) of the 1979 Rules, which contains the definition of 'ex-serviceman'. 2. Unlike the 1979 Rules, the 2026 amendment for the first time confines the definition of 'ex-serviceman' exclusively to combatant personnel of the Regular Army, Navy and Air Force. 3. Both the 1979 Rules and the 2026 amendment derive their authority from Article 309 of the Constitution of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 2026 amendment modifies Rule 2(c)(i) of the 1979 Rules, which contains the definition of 'ex-serviceman'.
  2. Unlike the 1979 Rules, the 2026 amendment for the first time confines the definition of 'ex-serviceman' exclusively to combatant personnel of the Regular Army, Navy and Air Force.
  3. Both the 1979 Rules and the 2026 amendment derive their authority from Article 309 of the Constitution of India.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. How many years separate the parent Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services & Posts) Rules from the 2026 amendment that formally included Military Nursing Service personnel within the definition of 'ex-serviceman'?

  • A. 37 years
  • B. 42 years
  • C. 47 years
  • D. 52 years

Q5. Which Union Ministry notified the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services & Posts) Amendment Rules, 2026, extending re-employment and reservation benefits to Military Nursing Service personnel?

  • A. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
  • B. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • D. Ministry of Defence