Employees of Ordnance Factories Submit Advance Option Forms to Remain in Central Government Service

With the deemed deputation of Defence Civilian Employees of Ordnance Factories coming to an end on December 31, 2025, apprehensions loom large among the employees about their future.

The major question in their minds is whether they will continue as Central Government employees in the seven newly formed Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), as assured by the Government of India in the Madras High Court, or whether they will be absorbed in these DPSUs — or even declared surplus and transferred to other departments.

The four recognised employees’ organisations — AIDEF, INDWF, BPMS, and CDRA — have already informed the Government that their members do not wish to be absorbed in the new DPSUs. Instead, they have demanded that all employees should be allowed to remain as Central Government / Defence Civilian Employees till their retirement.

These federations have categorically stated that they will not participate in any meeting convened by the Government or the seven DPSUs if the agenda includes discussions on the Absorption Package. They have also insisted that the Government honour its written assurance given in the Madras High Court, ensuring full service protection for these employees.

In the meantime, AIDEF has issued a Contempt of Court notice to the Secretary (Defence Production) and the CMDs of the seven DPSUs, warning that any violation of the Government’s commitment regarding service protection would amount to contempt of court.

According to reliable sources, the Secretary (Department of Defence Production) has convened a meeting with the CMDs of all seven DPSUs, directing them to initiate discussions with the federations on the absorption package. Consequently, invitations for dialogue are expected to be extended soon.

When contacted by www.indianpsu.com – C. Srikumar, General Secretary of AIDEF, reaffirmed that the four federations — AIDEF, INDWF, BPMS, and CDRA — have jointly decided not to attend any meeting called by the authorities on the issue of absorption. He further stated that as of October 15, 2025, more than 95% of employees have already submitted Advance Option Forms expressing their decision to continue as Central Government / Defence Civilian Employees till retirement.

The federations and CDRA plan to officially communicate this consolidated stand to the Government of India after receiving complete data from all 41 Ordnance Factories.

Employees and officers across the 41 Ordnance Factories and the Directorate of Ordnance are reportedly united in rejecting absorption into the DPSUs. They cite the Prasar Bharati model, where employees of Akashvani and Doordarshan were allowed to continue as Central Government employees with full service protection until retirement.

“If this protection was extended to Prasar Bharati employees, why can’t the same be granted to Defence Civilian Employees of the Ordnance Factories?” question the employees.

Now, the critical question remains — will the Government of India heed the genuine demand of the Ordnance Factory employees and resolve the issue amicably, or will it choose confrontation with its own workforce?

The coming weeks will decide the course of this long-standing industrial and administrative issue.