New Delhi, July 28 (IANS): The Supreme Court will hear on Friday a plea by some doctors of the Army Medical Corps (AMC) who want their retirement age to be raised to 65 years from the existing 60 or 62 years.

The apex court bench headed by Justice Anil R. Dave agreed to hear the plea as counsel appearing for eight army doctors, who are retiring this month, told the court that the defence ministry has not implemented the central government's decision to increase the retirement age of doctors to 65 years. 

The petitioners have contended that except the defence ministry, all others have implemented the health ministry's decision to retire doctors at the age of 65 years.

The decision to raise the retirement age of the doctors was announced by the Prime Minister, and it became effective from May 31, 2016.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tweet on May 31, 2016, said: "Central government has decided to enhance superannuation age of all doctors in Central Health Service to 65 years with effect 31st May 2016." 

"With this step, we retain our experienced doctors for a longer period and provide quality health services to citizens, particularly the poor." 

However, sources in the army said whatever is applicable in the civilian domain of the central government does not automatically get extended to the armed forces.

The Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), who is a Lt. General, retires at the age of 62 years. The Director General heads the medical corps of the three wings of armed forces.