Grounds for Exemption from Conscription
Article 64 of the Georgian Code on Military Service lists who is exempt from conscription: a person recognised as unfit for service due to health; a person who has served in the armed forces of a foreign country; a person convicted of a grave or especially grave crime; a person with a disability status defined by Georgian legislation; and a person whose disability status has expired — until re-verification, but for no more than 3 months. Exemption also applies to a person who has completed non-military alternative labour service; the only son in a family in which at least one member died in the battles for Georgia's territorial integrity or during military service; and a member of the Parliament of Georgia. The Prime Minister may, on a commission's recommendation, exempt a conscript of exceptional talent; the commission's rules are set by the Government.
Deferral for Health and Legal Status
Article 65 sets out the deferral cases. For health, deferral is granted to a person recognised as temporarily unfit — for up to 1 year — and to a person of limited fitness — for up to 3 years. Regarding legal status, deferral belongs to a person subject to ongoing criminal prosecution — until the relevant body adopts a decision — and to a person under a suspended sentence — until that sentence expires.
Education-Related Deferrals
Deferral is granted to: a student of a Georgian higher education institution with active status, at each level until completion; a student of a recognised foreign programme, except fully distance learning, likewise; a resident of higher medical education, until the residency ends; a vocational student — until the end of the programme, once only, provided the same right was not used at the higher or residency category; a pupil of a general education school — until the age of 20; an applicant — in the year of completion, until enrolment; a person registered for the unified national examinations — until the results are announced and then, having obtained the right, until enrolment in the same year; a bachelor's graduate registered for a master's examination — until the results and enrolment; an applicant for doctoral continuation — until the enrolment decision; and a medical graduate registered for the residency competition — until the competition ends. A person excluded by fully distance learning may, if conscripted, choose a training programme or form of service provided for by the Code.