Section19
The Air Force Act, 1950

Termination of service by Central Government

In force From 22 Jul 1950 Act 45 of 1950 As on 18 Oct 2026

Act 45 of 1950 Ministry Defence Enacted 18 May 1950 In force 22 Jul 1950

Section 19 of the Air Force Act, 1950 deals with termination of service by Central Government. Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations made thereunder, the Central Government may dismiss, or remove from the service any person subject to this Act. The Act came into force on 22 Jul 1950.

Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations made thereunder, the Central Government may dismiss, or remove from the service any person subject to this Act.

Section 19, The Air Force Act, 1950 (Act 45 of 1950).

Related judgements & precedents

These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.

  1. Union of India vs Rajeev Moitra

    Supreme Court of India 29 Jan 2019 Binding (Supreme Court) Reportable

    Court's Decision & Legal Precedent

    The right to withdraw from an approved application for Premature Separation from Service in the Indian Air Force is neither absolute nor unconditional. While officers have a substantive right to continue in service until superannuation, once they apply for PSS under the Human Resource Policy and their application is approved, the withdrawal of such approval is subject to the conditions stipulated in Paragraph 18 of the policy, namely that withdrawal is permitted only as an exception and on 'extreme compassionate grounds'. The general principle of civil service law permitting withdrawal of prospective resignations before effective date does not apply to the Armed Forces without modification, because: (1) service in the Armed Forces operates under a distinct constitutional and statutory framework centered on at-pleasure tenure and organizational efficiency; (2) the Human Resource Policy, validly issued under delegated authority, explicitly conditions withdrawal and restricts it to exceptional circumstances; (3) officers who seek benefit of the PSS policy cannot later repudiate its terms, including the withdrawal restriction in Paragraph 18; and (4) the operational exigencies of the Armed Forces, including manpower planning and allocation of exit vacancies, necessitate limiting unilateral withdrawal rights. Whether grounds cited meet the 'extreme compassionate grounds' criterion is for competent authority to determine bona fide, and courts should not fault a fair and bona fide assessment made in light of service requirements.

    On this section: Empowers Central government to dismiss or remove persons subject to the Act in accordance with provisions and rules; provides authority for service termination

    Read the full order on eCourts India

The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.

Questions about Section 19

What have the courts held on Section 19 of the Air Force Act?

Union of India vs Rajeev Moitra (29 Jan 2019) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Empowers Central government to dismiss or remove persons subject to the Act in accordance with provisions and rules; provides authority for service termination.

How do I find court cases under Section 19 of the Air Force Act?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Air Force Act 1950 19, section 19 Air Force Act 1950, section 19 of the Air Force Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Union of India vs Rajeev Moitra (29 Jan 2019).

When did Section 19 of the Air Force Act come into force?

Section 19 of the Air Force Act, cited as Air Force Act 1950 19, came into force on 22 Jul 1950, having been enacted on 18 May 1950. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 18 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.