The National Service Act, 1972
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports / Department of Youth Affairs
Section
Section 1 Short title, extent and commencement.
(1) This Act may be called the National Service Act, 1972.
(2) It extends to the whole of India.
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification, appoint.
(2) It extends to the whole of India.
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification, appoint.
Section 2 Definitions.
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,
(a) "employer" means any person who employs any qualified person for doing any work in any establishment and includes any person entrusted with the supervision and control of qualified persons in such establishment.
(b) "establishment" means--
(i) any office, or
(ii) any place where any industry, trade, business or occupation is carried on, and includes any technical institution or training centre;
(c) "national service" means any service which is likely to assist the defence of India and civil defence or the efficient conduct of military operations and includes such social service as the Central Government may, if it is of opinion that it is necessary for public purposes so to do, by notification specify in this behalf;
(d) "notification" means a notification published in the Official Gazette;
(e) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(f) "qualified person" means a citizen of India who is ordinarily resident in India and who,--
(i) has obtained a recognised medical qualification within the meaning of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956), or
(ii) has obtained, or has passed an examination which entitles him to obtain, a degree of a University or its equivalent qualification in any branch of engineering or technology or both.
Explanation.-- For the purposes of this Act, a qualified person who is resident in India shall be deemed to be ordinarily resident there unless--
(a) he is residing there only for the purposes of attending a course of education; or
(b) the circumstances of his residence there are otherwise such as to show that he is residing there for a temporary purpose only; or
(c) he, being a person who was born or domiciled in any country outside India, has been resident in India for less than two years.
(a) "employer" means any person who employs any qualified person for doing any work in any establishment and includes any person entrusted with the supervision and control of qualified persons in such establishment.
(b) "establishment" means--
(i) any office, or
(ii) any place where any industry, trade, business or occupation is carried on, and includes any technical institution or training centre;
(c) "national service" means any service which is likely to assist the defence of India and civil defence or the efficient conduct of military operations and includes such social service as the Central Government may, if it is of opinion that it is necessary for public purposes so to do, by notification specify in this behalf;
(d) "notification" means a notification published in the Official Gazette;
(e) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(f) "qualified person" means a citizen of India who is ordinarily resident in India and who,--
(i) has obtained a recognised medical qualification within the meaning of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956), or
(ii) has obtained, or has passed an examination which entitles him to obtain, a degree of a University or its equivalent qualification in any branch of engineering or technology or both.
Explanation.-- For the purposes of this Act, a qualified person who is resident in India shall be deemed to be ordinarily resident there unless--
(a) he is residing there only for the purposes of attending a course of education; or
(b) the circumstances of his residence there are otherwise such as to show that he is residing there for a temporary purpose only; or
(c) he, being a person who was born or domiciled in any country outside India, has been resident in India for less than two years.
Section 3 Liability of persons to be called up for national service.
(1) Every person who--
(a) is a qualified person at the commencement of this Act, or
(b) becomes a qualified person after such commencement,
shall, if he has not attained the age of thirty years at such commencement, or, as the case may be, on the date on which he becomes a qualified person, be liable until he attains the age of thirty years, to be called up for national service for a period of not more than four years.
(2) The period of national service for which a qualified person shall be liable to be called up under this Act shall begin from the date on which he is required by an enlistment notice served under this Act to present himself to the authority specified therein and shall end on the day when his term of national service is completed in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
(a) is a qualified person at the commencement of this Act, or
(b) becomes a qualified person after such commencement,
shall, if he has not attained the age of thirty years at such commencement, or, as the case may be, on the date on which he becomes a qualified person, be liable until he attains the age of thirty years, to be called up for national service for a period of not more than four years.
(2) The period of national service for which a qualified person shall be liable to be called up under this Act shall begin from the date on which he is required by an enlistment notice served under this Act to present himself to the authority specified therein and shall end on the day when his term of national service is completed in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
Section 4 Voluntary service in lieu of national service.
(1) If a qualified person has been enlisted under any other law for the time being in force, for service in one of the Armed Forces of the Union for a period of not less than four years, he shall perform the service required of the members of that Force in lieu of the national service required under this Act.
(2) If a qualified person has rendered or is rendering service, other than service in one of the Armed Forces of the Union and such service is declared by the Central Government to be equivalent to national service, the period of such service shall be deemed to be service in lieu of the national service required under this Act and he shall (unless he has ceased to be liable under this Act to be called up for national service), be liable to be called up for national service for such term as will, together with the service completed by him, be equivalent to the term of service for which persons are liable to serve under this Act.
(3) If any qualified person has been enlisted as a member of--
(a) the Indian Reserve Forces, regulated under the Indian Reserve Forces Act, 1888 (4 of 1888),
(b) the Territorial Army constituted under the Territorial Army Act, 1948 (56 of 1948),
(c) the Air Force Reserve or the Auxiliary Air Force Reserve constituted under the Reserve and Auxiliary Air Forces Act, 1952 ( 62 of 1952),
(d) the Indian Naval Reserve Forces raised and maintained under the Navy Act, 1957 (62 of 1957), or
(e) any other Force of the foregoing nature,
he shall not be called up, so long as he continues to be a member of that Force, to render national service under this Act:
Provided that he shall, after he has ceased to be a member of such Force, be liable to render national service (unless he has ceased to be liable under this Act to be called up for national service), for such term as will, together with the actual service rendered by him as a member of that Force, be equivalent to the term of service for which persons are liable to serve under this Act.
(2) If a qualified person has rendered or is rendering service, other than service in one of the Armed Forces of the Union and such service is declared by the Central Government to be equivalent to national service, the period of such service shall be deemed to be service in lieu of the national service required under this Act and he shall (unless he has ceased to be liable under this Act to be called up for national service), be liable to be called up for national service for such term as will, together with the service completed by him, be equivalent to the term of service for which persons are liable to serve under this Act.
(3) If any qualified person has been enlisted as a member of--
(a) the Indian Reserve Forces, regulated under the Indian Reserve Forces Act, 1888 (4 of 1888),
(b) the Territorial Army constituted under the Territorial Army Act, 1948 (56 of 1948),
(c) the Air Force Reserve or the Auxiliary Air Force Reserve constituted under the Reserve and Auxiliary Air Forces Act, 1952 ( 62 of 1952),
(d) the Indian Naval Reserve Forces raised and maintained under the Navy Act, 1957 (62 of 1957), or
(e) any other Force of the foregoing nature,
he shall not be called up, so long as he continues to be a member of that Force, to render national service under this Act:
Provided that he shall, after he has ceased to be a member of such Force, be liable to render national service (unless he has ceased to be liable under this Act to be called up for national service), for such term as will, together with the actual service rendered by him as a member of that Force, be equivalent to the term of service for which persons are liable to serve under this Act.
Section 5 Liability to complete interrupted service.
If any qualified person serving in the Armed Forces of the Union ceases to serve therein before he has completed four years of such service, he shall, unless he has ceased to be liable under this Act to be called up for national service, be liable to be called up to serve for such term as will, together with the service completed by him, be equivalent to the term of service for which persons are liable to serve under this Act.
Section 6 Power of Central Government to direct a person to render service with the Armed Forces of Union or other national service.
Subject to the provisions of section 3, the Central Government may, by order, require a qualified person to render service in the Armed Forces of the Union or such other national service, as it may specify in this behalf, for such period and at such place as may be specified in the order.
Section 7 Discipline.
(1) Every qualified person enlisted under this Act for national service in the Armed Forces of the Union shall, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, be bound to serve in any branch of the Armed Forces to which he is for the time being attached, and shall be subject to all laws, rules, regulations and orders in force for the time being in relation to such branch.
(2) Every qualified person enlisted for any national service, other than service in the Armed Forces of the Union shall, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, be bound to serve in any position or post to which he is appointed for the time being, and shall be subject to all laws, rules, regulations and orders in force for the time being in relation to such position or post.
(2) Every qualified person enlisted for any national service, other than service in the Armed Forces of the Union shall, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, be bound to serve in any position or post to which he is appointed for the time being, and shall be subject to all laws, rules, regulations and orders in force for the time being in relation to such position or post.
Section 8 Power of Central Government to require any employer to release qualified persons.
(1) The Central Government may, by order in writing, require any employer to release any qualified person for employment in national service within such time as may be specified in the order.
(2) Where an employer releases a qualified person for employment in national service, such employer shall not be liable to pay the salary, wages and other emoluments, if any, of the qualified person for the period during which national service is or has been rendered by the qualified person.
(3) No contract, subsisting between a qualified person and his employer on the date of release of the qualified person for employment in national service, shall be enforceable until such qualified person has been discharged from national service.
(4) In computing the period specified in any contract of service in relation to a qualified person who has been called upon to render national service, the period of national service actually rendered by such qualified person shall be excluded.
(5) If any employer fails without sufficient cause to comply with the order made under sub-section (1), he shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and also with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.
(2) Where an employer releases a qualified person for employment in national service, such employer shall not be liable to pay the salary, wages and other emoluments, if any, of the qualified person for the period during which national service is or has been rendered by the qualified person.
(3) No contract, subsisting between a qualified person and his employer on the date of release of the qualified person for employment in national service, shall be enforceable until such qualified person has been discharged from national service.
(4) In computing the period specified in any contract of service in relation to a qualified person who has been called upon to render national service, the period of national service actually rendered by such qualified person shall be excluded.
(5) If any employer fails without sufficient cause to comply with the order made under sub-section (1), he shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and also with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.
Section 9 Transfer.
The Central Government may, by regulations, make provisions for enabling or requiring a qualified person rendering national service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the Union to be transferred to any other branch of that Force or to any other branch of national service or vice versa.
Section 10 Persons not to leave national service or be discharged therefrom unless permitted by Central Government.
(1) No qualified person rendering national service under this Act shall leave such service until he is discharged therefrom under section 17.
(2) No qualified person who has been served with a notice under sub-section (1) of section 13 or an enlistment notice under section 14 shall, if he is in any employment at the date of service of such notice, leave such employment or be discharged therefrom, except in accordance with the provisions of this Act:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply where the employment of a qualified person is terminated for the reason that the said person has been guilty of gross insubordination, habitual absence from work, or serious misconduct or has been convicted of an offence.
(3) If a qualified person who has been served with a notice under sub-section (1) of section 13 or an enlistment notice under section 14 leaves any employment in which he is engaged at the date of service of such notice or is discharged therefrom otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act, he or, as the case may be, the person by whom he is discharged, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and also with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees.
(2) No qualified person who has been served with a notice under sub-section (1) of section 13 or an enlistment notice under section 14 shall, if he is in any employment at the date of service of such notice, leave such employment or be discharged therefrom, except in accordance with the provisions of this Act:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply where the employment of a qualified person is terminated for the reason that the said person has been guilty of gross insubordination, habitual absence from work, or serious misconduct or has been convicted of an offence.
(3) If a qualified person who has been served with a notice under sub-section (1) of section 13 or an enlistment notice under section 14 leaves any employment in which he is engaged at the date of service of such notice or is discharged therefrom otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act, he or, as the case may be, the person by whom he is discharged, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and also with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees.
Section 11 Persons required to register.
(1) Every qualified person shall, if he is liable, at the commencement of this Act, to be called up for national service, make an application, within ninety days from such commencement, to be registered under this Act.
(2) Every qualified person who becomes liable after the commencement of this Act, to be called up for national service, shall, within thirty days from the date on which he becomes so liable, make an application to be registered under this Act.
(2) Every qualified person who becomes liable after the commencement of this Act, to be called up for national service, shall, within thirty days from the date on which he becomes so liable, make an application to be registered under this Act.
Section 12 Registration.
(1) The Central Government shall, by general order, direct qualified persons who are required to be registered under this Act,--
(a) to furnish at such place and time, in such manner and to such authority or person as may be specified therein, such particulars about themselves as the order may require; and
(b) to make at such place, in such manner and to such authority or person as may be specified in the order, an application to be registered under this Act.
(2) The order made under sub-section (1) may make different provisions in relation to different classes of qualified persons subject to registration and may provide for exempting from any requirements of the order of any class of qualified persons with respect to whom the Central Government is satisfied that particulars sufficient for the purposes of this Act can be ascertained otherwise than by virtue of those requirements.
(3) If any qualified person fails to comply with any requirement of the order made under sub-section (1), he shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
(4) The Central Government shall ensure--
(a) that upon an application duly made for registration under this Act, the name and address of the applicant together with the particulars of the matters with respect to which information was given by the applicant in pursuance of the order made under sub-section (1) are entered in a register kept for the purposes of this Act, to be known as the "National Service Register"; and
(b) that upon the applicant being registered, a certificate of registration is issued to the applicant in the prescribed form.
(5) The information contained in the National Service Register shall not be used for any purpose other than the purposes of this Act:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall preclude the Central Government from disclosing, for statistical purposes, any information contained in the National Service Register.
(6) The Central Government may cause registration to be made of, and a certificate of registration to be issued to, any qualified person of a class exempted from any of the requirements of sub-section (1) as if that person had duly applied to be registered under this Act.
(7) (a) If any qualified person subject to registration under this Act communicates to the Central Government in the prescribed manner, that he has a preference for the Army, Air Force or Naval Service, that fact shall be recorded in the National Service Register.
(b) If a qualified person belonging to a class which is exempted from registration under this Act has a preference for the Army, Air Force or Naval Service, he shall intimate such preference to the Central Government in such manner as that Government may specify and, on receipt of such intimation, the Central Government shall cause such preference to be recorded in the National Service Register.
(8) (a) If any change occurs in the name or address of any qualified person while such person remains registered under this Act, or if any such person acquires any additional academic or professional qualification or distinction, he shall forthwith communicate the change of his name or address, or, as the case may be, the acquisition by him of additional academic or professional qualification or distinction to the Central Government in the prescribed manner and at the same time return to the Central Government, for correction, any certificate of registration held by him and if he fails to communicate the change of his name or address, or, as the case may be, the acquisition by him of the additional academic or professional qualification or distinction, he shall be liable to be punished with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.
(b) Upon the receipt of a communication of the change of name or address of any qualified person registered under this Act or of acquisition by him of additional academic or professional qualification or distinction, the Central Government shall cause the necessary corrections to be made in the entries in the National Service Register and shall either cause the certificate to be corrected and returned to such person or cause a fresh certificate to be issued to him.
(9) The Central Government may, by rules made under this Act, provide for the issue, in specified circumstances, of fresh certificates of registration in place of certificates which have been lost, destroyed or defaced.
(a) to furnish at such place and time, in such manner and to such authority or person as may be specified therein, such particulars about themselves as the order may require; and
(b) to make at such place, in such manner and to such authority or person as may be specified in the order, an application to be registered under this Act.
(2) The order made under sub-section (1) may make different provisions in relation to different classes of qualified persons subject to registration and may provide for exempting from any requirements of the order of any class of qualified persons with respect to whom the Central Government is satisfied that particulars sufficient for the purposes of this Act can be ascertained otherwise than by virtue of those requirements.
(3) If any qualified person fails to comply with any requirement of the order made under sub-section (1), he shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
(4) The Central Government shall ensure--
(a) that upon an application duly made for registration under this Act, the name and address of the applicant together with the particulars of the matters with respect to which information was given by the applicant in pursuance of the order made under sub-section (1) are entered in a register kept for the purposes of this Act, to be known as the "National Service Register"; and
(b) that upon the applicant being registered, a certificate of registration is issued to the applicant in the prescribed form.
(5) The information contained in the National Service Register shall not be used for any purpose other than the purposes of this Act:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall preclude the Central Government from disclosing, for statistical purposes, any information contained in the National Service Register.
(6) The Central Government may cause registration to be made of, and a certificate of registration to be issued to, any qualified person of a class exempted from any of the requirements of sub-section (1) as if that person had duly applied to be registered under this Act.
(7) (a) If any qualified person subject to registration under this Act communicates to the Central Government in the prescribed manner, that he has a preference for the Army, Air Force or Naval Service, that fact shall be recorded in the National Service Register.
(b) If a qualified person belonging to a class which is exempted from registration under this Act has a preference for the Army, Air Force or Naval Service, he shall intimate such preference to the Central Government in such manner as that Government may specify and, on receipt of such intimation, the Central Government shall cause such preference to be recorded in the National Service Register.
(8) (a) If any change occurs in the name or address of any qualified person while such person remains registered under this Act, or if any such person acquires any additional academic or professional qualification or distinction, he shall forthwith communicate the change of his name or address, or, as the case may be, the acquisition by him of additional academic or professional qualification or distinction to the Central Government in the prescribed manner and at the same time return to the Central Government, for correction, any certificate of registration held by him and if he fails to communicate the change of his name or address, or, as the case may be, the acquisition by him of the additional academic or professional qualification or distinction, he shall be liable to be punished with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.
(b) Upon the receipt of a communication of the change of name or address of any qualified person registered under this Act or of acquisition by him of additional academic or professional qualification or distinction, the Central Government shall cause the necessary corrections to be made in the entries in the National Service Register and shall either cause the certificate to be corrected and returned to such person or cause a fresh certificate to be issued to him.
(9) The Central Government may, by rules made under this Act, provide for the issue, in specified circumstances, of fresh certificates of registration in place of certificates which have been lost, destroyed or defaced.
Section 13 Notice of likelihood of calling up for national service.
(1) The Central Government may from time to time cause to be served on any qualified person subject to registration under this Act, and, if he is engaged in any employment, also on his employer, a written notice in the prescribed form stating that such person is likely to be called upon, at any time within a period of twelve months next following, to render national service.
(2) Omission to serve any notice referred to in sub-section (1) on an employer or the service of such notice on a person who is not, at the time of service of such notice, the employer of the qualified person concerned, shall not invalidate the notice served under sub- section (1) on the qualified person and shall not affect the liability of the qualified person to be called up for national service.
(3) The Central Government may cause to be served, on any qualified person served with a notice referred to in sub-section (1), a written notice requiring that person to submit himself to an examination, by such authority, at such place and at such time, as may be specified in the notice, of his physical and mental fitness for being called up for national service.
(4) The Central Government may make regulations for the examination of the physical and mental fitness of persons subject to registration under this Act and such regulations may, in particular, enable the medical and other authority
(a) in a case where he is unable to complete the examination on one occasion, to direct the person examined to submit himself for a further examination on a specified time and place;
(b) to direct the person examined to submit himself for examination by a specialist.
(5) The Central Government may by regulations determine the categories in which persons examined under this section are to be placed with reference to their physical and mental condition.
(6) If any qualified person fails to comply with the requirements of a notice served on him under sub-section (3) or any regulations made or directions given under sub-section (4), he shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
(7) The court by which a qualified person is convicted of an offence under this section may, without prejudice to any penalty which may be imposed on him, order him to submit himself to an examination of his physical and mental fitness, further examination or examination by a specialist, as the case may be, at such place and at such time as may be fixed by the court and any such order may provide that such person shall be detained in custody until that time and shall be taken by a police officer to that place and at that time:
Provided that no person shall be detained in custody by virtue of any such order for more than twenty-four hours.
(8) A qualified person who, having been ordered by a court under sub-section (7) to submit himself to an examination of his physical and mental fitness and to be detained in custody, is taken by a police officer to the place and at the time at which he is to be examined, does not submit himself to an examination of his physical and mental fitness in accordance with the order, he may be arrested by that or any other police officer without a warrant.
(9) A qualified person, who fails to submit himself to an examination of his physical and mental fitness in accordance with an order made under sub-section (7), shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, and also with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.
(10) A notice served on any qualified person under this section shall cease to have effect if, before that date on which he is required to submit himself to an examination of his physical and mental fitness, he ceases to be subject to registration under this Act.
(11) The Central Government may pay to the medical or other authority, specialist, or any qualified person undergoing examination of his physical and mental fitness under this section such travelling and other allowances, including compensation for loss of remunerative time, in accordance with such scales as may be prescribed.
(2) Omission to serve any notice referred to in sub-section (1) on an employer or the service of such notice on a person who is not, at the time of service of such notice, the employer of the qualified person concerned, shall not invalidate the notice served under sub- section (1) on the qualified person and shall not affect the liability of the qualified person to be called up for national service.
(3) The Central Government may cause to be served, on any qualified person served with a notice referred to in sub-section (1), a written notice requiring that person to submit himself to an examination, by such authority, at such place and at such time, as may be specified in the notice, of his physical and mental fitness for being called up for national service.
(4) The Central Government may make regulations for the examination of the physical and mental fitness of persons subject to registration under this Act and such regulations may, in particular, enable the medical and other authority
(a) in a case where he is unable to complete the examination on one occasion, to direct the person examined to submit himself for a further examination on a specified time and place;
(b) to direct the person examined to submit himself for examination by a specialist.
(5) The Central Government may by regulations determine the categories in which persons examined under this section are to be placed with reference to their physical and mental condition.
(6) If any qualified person fails to comply with the requirements of a notice served on him under sub-section (3) or any regulations made or directions given under sub-section (4), he shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
(7) The court by which a qualified person is convicted of an offence under this section may, without prejudice to any penalty which may be imposed on him, order him to submit himself to an examination of his physical and mental fitness, further examination or examination by a specialist, as the case may be, at such place and at such time as may be fixed by the court and any such order may provide that such person shall be detained in custody until that time and shall be taken by a police officer to that place and at that time:
Provided that no person shall be detained in custody by virtue of any such order for more than twenty-four hours.
(8) A qualified person who, having been ordered by a court under sub-section (7) to submit himself to an examination of his physical and mental fitness and to be detained in custody, is taken by a police officer to the place and at the time at which he is to be examined, does not submit himself to an examination of his physical and mental fitness in accordance with the order, he may be arrested by that or any other police officer without a warrant.
(9) A qualified person, who fails to submit himself to an examination of his physical and mental fitness in accordance with an order made under sub-section (7), shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, and also with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.
(10) A notice served on any qualified person under this section shall cease to have effect if, before that date on which he is required to submit himself to an examination of his physical and mental fitness, he ceases to be subject to registration under this Act.
(11) The Central Government may pay to the medical or other authority, specialist, or any qualified person undergoing examination of his physical and mental fitness under this section such travelling and other allowances, including compensation for loss of remunerative time, in accordance with such scales as may be prescribed.
Section 14 Enlistment for national service.
(1) Subject to such priorities as may be prescribed, the Central Government may cause to be served on any qualified person for the time being liable under this Act to be called up for national service, who has been found, after an examination of his physical and mental condition, fit for such service, a written notice in the prescribed form (in this Act referred to as the "enlistment notice") stating that he is called up for national service in such one of the Armed Forces of the Union or in such other service as may be specified in the enlistment notice and requiring him to present himself at such place and at such time and to such authority, as may be specified in the notice:
Provided that an enlistment notice under this section shall not require the person upon whom it is served to present himself on a day earlier than the fourteenth day after the date of service of the notice or such earlier day as may be determined at his request.
(2) An enlistment notice served on any qualified person shall cease to have effect if, before the day on which he is thereby required to present himself, he ceases to be liable to be called up for national service under this Act.
(3) The Central Government may pay to persons required to present themselves in pursuance of an enlistment notice served upon them travelling and other allowances in accordance with such scales as may be prescribed.
(4) If on the day specified in the enlistment notice as the day on which the person to whom the notice relates is required to present himself for national service--
(a) a postponement certificate relating to him is in force, or
(b) any appeal or application by him for postponement of national service is pending, the enlistment notice served on him shall be of no effect.
(5) The enlistment notice shall be served in such manner as may be prescribed.
Provided that an enlistment notice under this section shall not require the person upon whom it is served to present himself on a day earlier than the fourteenth day after the date of service of the notice or such earlier day as may be determined at his request.
(2) An enlistment notice served on any qualified person shall cease to have effect if, before the day on which he is thereby required to present himself, he ceases to be liable to be called up for national service under this Act.
(3) The Central Government may pay to persons required to present themselves in pursuance of an enlistment notice served upon them travelling and other allowances in accordance with such scales as may be prescribed.
(4) If on the day specified in the enlistment notice as the day on which the person to whom the notice relates is required to present himself for national service--
(a) a postponement certificate relating to him is in force, or
(b) any appeal or application by him for postponement of national service is pending, the enlistment notice served on him shall be of no effect.
(5) The enlistment notice shall be served in such manner as may be prescribed.
Section 15 Salary, wages, etc., and travelling allowances to be paid to persons enlisted for national service.
(1) Every qualified person who is called up for national service under this Act, or who is transferred from one form of national service to another, shall be paid such salary, wages, allowances, pension, disability and death compensations and other benefits as may be prescribed:
Provided that such payments shall be on scales not less favourable than those admissible to persons of like qualifications, experience and length of service in similar positions under the Government.
Explanation.--For the purposes of the foregoing proviso, the length of standing of a qualified person as an engineer or medical practitioner, as the case may be, shall be construed as the length of his service.
(2) Any qualified person who is called up for national service or transferred from one form of national service, or from one place of employment in the national service, to another, shall be paid travelling allowance for journey to his place of employment under this Act at such rate as may be prescribed.
(3) A qualified person who, on the date of the service of the enlistment notice on him, is engaged in any employment, or a qualified person who is transferred from one form of national service, or from one place of employment in the national service, to another, shall be paid, for the period of his transit from the place of his former employment to the place of his employment under this Act, salary or wages (including allowances) at the rate fixed by the Central Government under sub-section (1).
(4) A qualified person who was in any employment on the date on which he was called up for national service under this Act, shall, on his discharge from such service, be paid salary or wages (including allowances) for the period of his transit from the place of his employment under this Act to the place of his former employment at the rate fixed by the Central Government under sub-section (1).
(5) A qualified person who is called up for national service under this Act shall, on the termination of his national service, be paid travelling expenses at such rate as may be prescribed, for journey to the place of his former employment, or, if he was unemployed when he was first called up for national service under this Act, to the place of his residence.
Provided that such payments shall be on scales not less favourable than those admissible to persons of like qualifications, experience and length of service in similar positions under the Government.
Explanation.--For the purposes of the foregoing proviso, the length of standing of a qualified person as an engineer or medical practitioner, as the case may be, shall be construed as the length of his service.
(2) Any qualified person who is called up for national service or transferred from one form of national service, or from one place of employment in the national service, to another, shall be paid travelling allowance for journey to his place of employment under this Act at such rate as may be prescribed.
(3) A qualified person who, on the date of the service of the enlistment notice on him, is engaged in any employment, or a qualified person who is transferred from one form of national service, or from one place of employment in the national service, to another, shall be paid, for the period of his transit from the place of his former employment to the place of his employment under this Act, salary or wages (including allowances) at the rate fixed by the Central Government under sub-section (1).
(4) A qualified person who was in any employment on the date on which he was called up for national service under this Act, shall, on his discharge from such service, be paid salary or wages (including allowances) for the period of his transit from the place of his employment under this Act to the place of his former employment at the rate fixed by the Central Government under sub-section (1).
(5) A qualified person who is called up for national service under this Act shall, on the termination of his national service, be paid travelling expenses at such rate as may be prescribed, for journey to the place of his former employment, or, if he was unemployed when he was first called up for national service under this Act, to the place of his residence.
Section 16 Training.
During his term of national service a qualified person may be required to undergo training for such period as may be prescribed.
Section 17 Discharge.
(1) Every qualified person enlisted under this Act shall be entitled to receive his discharge from national service on the expiration of the period for which he was enlisted and such person may, prior to the expiration of that period, be discharged from national service by such authority and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.
(2) A person receiving discharge under this section shall be given a certificate in such form as may be prescribed certifying that he has been discharged from national service.
(3) A person who has received discharge under this section shall not be required to render national service after such discharge:
Provided that a person who has received discharge under this section before he has completed four years of national service, shall, unless he has ceased to be liable to be called up for national service under this Act, be liable to be called up for national service under this Act for such term as will, together with the period of national service rendered by him, be equivalent to four years.
(2) A person receiving discharge under this section shall be given a certificate in such form as may be prescribed certifying that he has been discharged from national service.
(3) A person who has received discharge under this section shall not be required to render national service after such discharge:
Provided that a person who has received discharge under this section before he has completed four years of national service, shall, unless he has ceased to be liable to be called up for national service under this Act, be liable to be called up for national service under this Act for such term as will, together with the period of national service rendered by him, be equivalent to four years.
Section 18 National Service (Hardship) Committee.
(1) The Central Government shall constitute a National Service (Hardship) Committee consisting of a Chairman and two other members appointed by it.
(2) The Chairman of the National Service (Hardship) Committee shall be a person who is, or has been, or is qualified to be, a Judge of a High Court.
(3) The members of the National Service (Hardship) Committee shall hold office for a period of three years but shall be eligible for reappointment.
(4) The proceedings of the National Service (Hardship) Committee shall not be invalid by reason of any defect in the constitution of, or any vacancy in, such Committee.
(5) Any vacancy in the National Service (Hardship) Committee shall be filled by the Central Government in such manner as it may think fit.
(6) The Central Government may constitute Regional National Service (Hardship) Committees for such regions as it may think fit and on such constitution such Regional National Service (Hardship) Committees shall have all the powers, functions and privileges of the National Service (Hardship) Committee and shall be subject to the same provisions as are applicable to that Committee.
(7) The National Service (Hardship) Committee shall have power to regulate its own procedure with regard to any investigation under this Act and shall have for the purposes of such investigation the powers of a civil court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), in respect of the following matters, namely:--
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents producible as evidence;
(c) receiving evidence on oath;
(d) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents;
(e) such other matters as may be prescribed.
(2) The Chairman of the National Service (Hardship) Committee shall be a person who is, or has been, or is qualified to be, a Judge of a High Court.
(3) The members of the National Service (Hardship) Committee shall hold office for a period of three years but shall be eligible for reappointment.
(4) The proceedings of the National Service (Hardship) Committee shall not be invalid by reason of any defect in the constitution of, or any vacancy in, such Committee.
(5) Any vacancy in the National Service (Hardship) Committee shall be filled by the Central Government in such manner as it may think fit.
(6) The Central Government may constitute Regional National Service (Hardship) Committees for such regions as it may think fit and on such constitution such Regional National Service (Hardship) Committees shall have all the powers, functions and privileges of the National Service (Hardship) Committee and shall be subject to the same provisions as are applicable to that Committee.
(7) The National Service (Hardship) Committee shall have power to regulate its own procedure with regard to any investigation under this Act and shall have for the purposes of such investigation the powers of a civil court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), in respect of the following matters, namely:--
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents producible as evidence;
(c) receiving evidence on oath;
(d) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents;
(e) such other matters as may be prescribed.
Section 19 Application for postponement on grounds of hardship.
(1) Any qualified person who is for the time being liable to be called up for national service under this Act and who has been served with a notice referred to in sub-section (1) of section 13, or any employer of such qualified person, may apply, in the prescribed manner to the Central Government for a certificate of postponement of liability to be called up for national service on the ground that exceptional hardship would ensue if such qualified person were called up for national service, and may, on that ground apply, in the prescribed manner, for the renewal of the postponement certificate granted to him.
(2) Where an application for a postponement certificate or for the renewal thereof is made, the Central Government shall refer the application for decision to the National Service (Hardship) Committee.
(3) No application for the grant of a postponement certificate shall be referred by the Central Government to the National Service (Hardship) Committee unless such application is made within sixty days from the date of service of the notice referred to in sub-section (1) of section 13:
Provided that the Central Government may refer an application for the grant of a postponement certificate to the National Service (Hardship) Committee made after the expiry of the said period if it is satisfied, having regard to the grounds on which the application is made, that the making thereof has not been unreasonably delayed.
(4) The Central Government may by regulations specify the principles to be applied and the circumstances to which regard is to be or not to be had for the hearing of an application for the grant or renewal of a postponement certificate and as to the period for which the postponement certificate may be granted or renewed.
(5) The National Service (Hardship) Committee may, after consideration of the application for a postponement certificate or renewal thereof, grant or reject the same.
(6) The period within which the postponement certificate is in force shall be added to the period during which the person to whom the certificate was granted is liable under this Act to be called up for national service and accordingly this Act shall in relation to that person have effect as if for reference therein to the age of thirty years, there were substituted, an age being the sum of thirty years and the period during which--
(i) the postponement certificate is in force, and
(ii) the enlistment notice was of no effect by reason of the provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 14.
(7) If any qualified person or an employer makes an application for a postponement certificate on a ground which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true or on a ground which, in the opinion of the National Service (Hardship) Committee, is frivolous, he shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
(2) Where an application for a postponement certificate or for the renewal thereof is made, the Central Government shall refer the application for decision to the National Service (Hardship) Committee.
(3) No application for the grant of a postponement certificate shall be referred by the Central Government to the National Service (Hardship) Committee unless such application is made within sixty days from the date of service of the notice referred to in sub-section (1) of section 13:
Provided that the Central Government may refer an application for the grant of a postponement certificate to the National Service (Hardship) Committee made after the expiry of the said period if it is satisfied, having regard to the grounds on which the application is made, that the making thereof has not been unreasonably delayed.
(4) The Central Government may by regulations specify the principles to be applied and the circumstances to which regard is to be or not to be had for the hearing of an application for the grant or renewal of a postponement certificate and as to the period for which the postponement certificate may be granted or renewed.
(5) The National Service (Hardship) Committee may, after consideration of the application for a postponement certificate or renewal thereof, grant or reject the same.
(6) The period within which the postponement certificate is in force shall be added to the period during which the person to whom the certificate was granted is liable under this Act to be called up for national service and accordingly this Act shall in relation to that person have effect as if for reference therein to the age of thirty years, there were substituted, an age being the sum of thirty years and the period during which--
(i) the postponement certificate is in force, and
(ii) the enlistment notice was of no effect by reason of the provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 14.
(7) If any qualified person or an employer makes an application for a postponement certificate on a ground which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true or on a ground which, in the opinion of the National Service (Hardship) Committee, is frivolous, he shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Section 20 Appeal from decision of the National Service (Hardship) Committee.
(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), an appeal shall lie against the decision of the National Service (Hardship) Committee to the High Court exercising jurisdiction in relation to the territory in which the applicant for the postponement certificate voluntarily resides, carries on business or personally works for gain.
(2) No appeal referred to in sub-section (1) shall lie unless--
(i) it is preferred within thirty days from the date of the decision of the National Service (Hardship) Committee, and
(ii) the National Service (Hardship) Committee certifies that the case involves a substantial question of law.
(3) Where the National Service (Hardship) Committee has refused to give a certificate referred to in sub-section (2), the High Court may, if it is satisfied that the case involves a substantial question of law, grant special leave to appeal against the decision of the National Service (Hardship) Committee.
(4) The High Court may, after hearing the appeal, confirm, modify or reverse the decision of the National Service (Hardship) Committee.
(2) No appeal referred to in sub-section (1) shall lie unless--
(i) it is preferred within thirty days from the date of the decision of the National Service (Hardship) Committee, and
(ii) the National Service (Hardship) Committee certifies that the case involves a substantial question of law.
(3) Where the National Service (Hardship) Committee has refused to give a certificate referred to in sub-section (2), the High Court may, if it is satisfied that the case involves a substantial question of law, grant special leave to appeal against the decision of the National Service (Hardship) Committee.
(4) The High Court may, after hearing the appeal, confirm, modify or reverse the decision of the National Service (Hardship) Committee.