ESM Job Fair in Dibrugarh: 434 veterans, 32 firms, 350+ vacancies
Synopsis
Over 434 Indian Army veterans converged at a job fair in Dibrugarh on 30 October, where 32 companies — including Oil India, ICICI Bank, and Brahmaputra Cracker — put more than 350 vacancies on the table. The DGR-organised event spotlights a quiet but growing policy push to channel retiring military talent into India's corporate workforce.
Key Takeaways
The ESM Job Fair was held in Dibrugarh, Assam on 30 October 2026 , organised by the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) under the Ministry of Defence .
Over 434 Ex-Servicemen participated alongside 32 companies , including multinationals.
More than 350 vacancies were offered across technical, managerial, and leadership roles.
Key recruiters included Oil India Ltd , ICICI Bank , Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Ltd , and Dibrugarh University .
The fair was inaugurated by Maj Gen Vishal Pathania , GOC, 41 Sub Area , and Maj Gen SBK Singh , DG DGR.
DGR plans to continue such fairs nationally to support veteran resettlement through employment, skill development, and entrepreneurship.
An Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Job Fair drew enthusiastic participation at Dibrugarh, Assam, on Friday, 30 October 2026, with over 434 veterans and 32 leading companies — including multinationals — coming together to bridge the civil-military employment gap. Organised by the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DoESW), Ministry of Defence, the event offered more than 350 vacancies across diverse sectors.
Key Officials and Inauguration
The fair was inaugurated by Major General Vishal Pathania, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 41 Sub Area, alongside Major General SBK Singh, Director General, DGR, and Brigadier Saumya Banerjee. Representing the corporate side as guests of honour were Colonel P K Ghosh (Retd), Director, Jalan Industries, and Group Captain Mohanto Panging (Retd).
Senior officers engaged directly with both veterans and corporate representatives, gaining insights into evolving industry requirements. According to an official, the interactions 'highlighted the value of military experience, leadership, discipline and professional expertise in meeting the evolving requirements of the corporate sector.'
Who Recruited and What Was on Offer
Among the prominent employers participating were Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Ltd, Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd, Innovision Ltd, Jalan Industries Ltd, Oil India Ltd, ICICI Bank, Dibrugarh University, and udChalo. The event offered opportunities spanning technical, managerial, administrative, and leadership roles, enabling employers to tap into a disciplined and experienced talent pool.
Why Veterans Are in Demand
With a growing number of Armed Forces officers retiring at comparatively younger ages — still well within their productive working years — civilian reabsorption has become a policy priority. The DGR has been actively encouraging retiring personnel to pursue advanced qualifications in management and public relations before leaving service, enhancing their transition readiness. Companies that have hired ex-servicemen have broadly acknowledged the value these professionals bring in terms of integrity, execution rigour, and team leadership.
DGR's Broader Resettlement Mission
The DGR continues to facilitate veteran resettlement through employment facilitation, skill development, entrepreneurship support, and sustained industry engagement. An official reiterated that 'DGR encourages corporate organisations and industry associations to strengthen their engagement with Ex-Servicemen and leverage their proven leadership, integrity, discipline and professional expertise.' Greater industry participation, officials argue, can unlock new career pathways while giving employers a competitive edge in workforce quality.
The Dibrugarh fair is part of a broader national calendar of such events, underlining the government's stated commitment to ensuring veterans transition into civilian careers with dignity and purpose. More such fairs are expected across other states in the coming months.
Point of View
But the real test is whether corporate uptake moves beyond goodwill participation to sustained, structured hiring pipelines. That shift requires industry to see veteran recruitment as a strategic talent play, not a CSR gesture.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ESM Job Fair held in Dibrugarh?
The ESM Job Fair is an employment event organised by the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) under the Ministry of Defence to connect retiring and retired Armed Forces personnel with civilian employers. The Dibrugarh edition on 30 October 2026 saw over 434 veterans and 32 companies, with more than 350 vacancies on offer.
Who organised the Dibrugarh ESM Job Fair?
The fair was organised by the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), operating under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DoESW) within the Ministry of Defence. It was inaugurated by Major General Vishal Pathania, GOC, 41 Sub Area, and Major General SBK Singh, DG DGR.
Which companies participated in the Dibrugarh ESM Job Fair?
Prominent recruiters included Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Ltd, Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd, Oil India Ltd, ICICI Bank, Innovision Ltd, Jalan Industries Ltd, Dibrugarh University, and udChalo, among others. The 32 participating firms included multinationals offering roles across diverse sectors.
Why are ESM job fairs important for veterans?
Many Armed Forces officers retire while still in their productive working years, making civilian reabsorption a critical welfare priority. ESM job fairs provide a structured platform for veterans to showcase their leadership, technical, and managerial skills to employers who may otherwise be unaware of the talent available.
What does DGR do for retired Armed Forces personnel?
The Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) facilitates the resettlement of retiring and retired Armed Forces personnel through employment facilitation, skill development programmes, entrepreneurship support, and industry engagement. Job fairs like the Dibrugarh event are a key part of its outreach strategy.
