New Delhi, Aug. 19 -- The Supreme Court on Monday urged the Union government to promptly put in place an insurance scheme and enhance medical support for officer cadets who are discharged from military training academies after suffering disabilities, warning that aspirants "cannot be left high and dry" or "disheartened" after attempting to join the armed forces. Taking up a suo motu matter on the plight of such cadets, a bench of justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan issued notice to the Union of India through ministries of defence (MoD), finance, and social justice and empowerment, along with the offices of the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The court fixed the matter for further hearing on September 4, asking the government to return with a "comprehensive affidavit". "We want brave people to join our forces. If they are left high and dry, they will be disheartened," observed the bench during the hearing, as it flagged the absence of a safety net for trainees injured during "extensive and rigorous" training. "Every trainee has to be insured. The risk is very high. No one can predict injuries and it can happen to anyone during such trainings," the court said. In its order, the bench recorded four immediate areas for government action and response. It asked the authorities to explore and propose an insurance cover for trainee cadets to meet exigencies arising out of training-related disabilities, besides considering an increase in medical expenditure for injured cadets, including long-term treatment needs. The court also urged the government to provide for reassessment after treatment and design suitable training or rehabilitation pathways, including avenues for employment. Last, the bench said that the cadets' entitlements under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act should also be examined. Additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Union, assured the court she would consult the concerned authorities and file a detailed affidavit. The bench also asked counsel representing the cadets to furnish written suggestions to the ASG to aid the government's response. Emphasising that the matter should not be treated as adversarial, the court said: "There has to be an act of social justice by the Union." It suggested the government consider group insurance on the lines of employee coverage and, where appropriate, lump-sum ex gratia relief, along with fresh medical assessments to identify rehabilitation options. If injuries make induction into the forces impossible, the bench said, the government should explore desk roles or other employment consonant with disability law norms....