Pension and Welfare Support for War Widows and Families of Martyrs under various Armed Forces Pension Rules

Pension and Welfare Support for War Widows and Families of Martyrs under various Armed Forces Pension Rules: Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2592 answered on 16.03.2026

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE
RAJYA SAВНА UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2592
TO BE ANSWERED ON 16TH MARCH, 2026

PENSION AND WELFARE SUPPORT FOR WAR WIDOWS AND FAMILIES OF MARTYRS

2592. MS SWATI MALIWAL
Will the Minister of Defence be pleased to state:

(a) the total number of war widows and families of martyrs receiving pension under various Armed Forces Pension Rules, category-wise and rank-wise;

(b) the average monthly pension disbursed to war widows and eligible family members, rank-wise, along with the total amount paid annually during the last five years;

(c) the number of beneficiaries who have received ex-gratia or battle casualty compensation during the said period, along with the amount disbursed; and

(d) the details of additional welfare measures extended to war widows and families of martyrs, including housing, medical facilities, educational support for children and employment assistance?

A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI SANJAY SETH) IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(a) The number of widows and families of martyrs drawing Liberalised Family Pension (LFP) through SPARSH, as on 31.01.2026, under Category D and E is 8329 and 1368 The detailed breakup is attached at Annexure-I (table-1).

(b) There is no concept of average pension since amount of pension is dependent upon rank, pay last drawn, degrees of disablement and nature of However, the amount of LFP disbursed through SPARSH in the month of Feb 2026 is Rs 9,91,71,086 for ICOs (Indian Commissioned Officers) and Rs. 59,70,85,819 for JCOs (Junior Commissioned Officers)/Ors (Other Ranks). The rank wise detail is attached at Annexure-I (table-2). The total amount paid annually during the last five years combined is Rs 19,16,26,84,026 (Rs 1916.27 cr approx)

(c) The number of beneficiaries to whom ex-gratia lumpsum has been sanctioned through SPARSH in the last five years is 930 and the corresponding total ex-gratia lumpsum is to 293.20 cr.

(d) Various welfare measures/ schemes are extended by DGR (Directorate General Resettlement) and KSB (Kendriya Sainik Board). The details are placed at Annexure II and III. Further to provide medical assistance the war widows are exempted from one-time Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS contribution) towards ECHS membership through which medical facilities are provided. War widows have also been facilitated with the facility of home delivery of Authorized Local Chemist Medicines. In addition to this Air Force Naval Housing Board (AFNHB), (a welfare organization) gives first priority for allotment of a dwelling unit to widows of martyred Air force and Naval personnel in ongoing AFNHB housing schemes on actual cost basis without deriving any

ANNEXURE I

a. Number of widows and families of martyrs drawing Liberalised Family Pension through SPARSH, as on 31.01.2026, under Category D & E (as per GoI letter dated 31.01.2001 as amended from time to time) are as under –

Table-1

b Rank-wise Liberalised Family Pension disbursed through SPARSH in the month of Feb 2026 is as under :-

Table-2

 ANNEXURE II

1. DGR has no schemes exclusively earmarked for the war widows, widows and their families. However, DGR runs following Re-settlement and Skill Development Training schemes for which widows of Armed Forces Personnel and widows & Dependents of Ex-servicemen are also eligible:

(a) Coal Tipper Attachment Scheme for Widows/ Disabled and Dependents of Ex- Servicemen as Disabled soldiers/widows & dependents of ex-servicemen pay a seed money of Rupees One Lakh and they get monthly reimbursement of Rs.3,000/-. At the end of contract, Rupees One Lakh is returned to the widows/ Disabled Soldiers.

(b) Allotment of Safal Outlets. Safal outlets, a subsidiary of Mother Dairy Private Limited comprising of Fruit & Vegetable Shops are provided to Widows/ Dependents of service personnel who passed away in service / Ex-servicemen. The same is only applicable in Delhi & NCR Region.

(c) Issue of DGR Eligibility Certificate for allotment of Oil Product Agencies advertised under 8% Reserved Quota. The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has reserved 8% quota for allotment of LPG Distributorship and Petrol/Diesel Retail Outlets for Defence personnel which also include Widows/dependents of members of Armed Forces who died in war or in harness due to attributable or aggravated causes to Military Service. The eligibility certificate, certifying an individual’s eligibility to apply for the above distributorship, is issued by the office of DGR to eligible persons. The final selection/ allotment is done by the concerned Oil Company as per their policy in vogue on the subject issue.

(d) Skill Development (Resettlement Training) Courses. Directorate General Resettlement is mandated to conduct skill development (resettlement training) course for retiring / retired officers, JCOs/ OR & Equivalent of Indian Army, Navy & Air Force at various training institutes of India. There is also a built-in provision for widows to undergo above stated skill development training courses. Towards this, a quota 3% of vacancies are reserved for them in each financial year.

2. The existing quota of reservations available for Ex-Servicemen (ESM) in Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) in which widows can apply are as follows: –

(a) Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs):

(i) 5% in all Direct Recruitment Group ‘C’ Posts.

(ii) 5% in all Direct Recruitment Group ‘D’ Posts.

(Including 4.5% for Disabled ESM and Dependents of Service personnel killed in action)

(b) Central Civil Services & Posts (CCS&P) of Central Government Ministries/ Departments and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs): The benefit of reservation has been extended to two dependents (including widows) and given Priority II-A to secure a job in Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ categories of posts under Central Govt Organizations.

ANNEXURE III 

2. Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme: Total 5500 scholarship are provided annually to eligible wards based on merit for the entire duration of the courses. The rates of scholarship are as follows: –

(a) Rs. 2500/- per month for boys

(a) Rs. 3000/- per month for girls

3. Financial support to institutions involved in rehabilitation of ESM:-

4. Reservation of seats in Medical/Dental Colleges for wards of Defence Personnel as Govt of India Nominee. A total of 42 MBBS seats and 3 seats in BDS courses for FY 2025-26 were allotted by Ministry of Health Family Welfare to KSB for wards of defence personnel as a Govt of India nominee.

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