New Delhi, Apr 30: At least 2076 officers resigned or took premature retirement between 2003 and 2007, accounting for the highest number among the Defence Services to quit job during the period.

The number of resignations or premature retirements during the period in the Air Force was 793 and in the Navy 780, Defence Minister A K Antony said in reply to questions in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

He said 3474 Army officers had applied for premature retirement or resignation between 2003 and 2007 and of them 2076 were permitted to leave service.

In the Air Force, 1269 officers had applied while in the Navy, 954 had applied for leaving the job, Antony said.

He said defence personnel leave the service on account of various reasons and they are allowed on account of various reasons like extreme compassionate grounds, low medical category and failure to acquire minimum educational qualification.

These are examined on case-to-case basis subject to exigencies of service, the Minister said.