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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1012
TO BE ANSWERED ON 09th February, 2026
MEMBERSHIP FEE FOR AVAILING ECHS
BENEFITS BY WAR WIDOWS OF SOLDIERS
1012. MS. INDU BALA GOSWAMI:
Will the Minister of Defence be pleased to state:
(a) whether war widows of soldiers are exempted from payment of the membership fee to avail
benefits under ECHS in case of death due to war;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there is a provision for granting financial assistance for the marriage of daughters of
soldiers martyred in war, as well as for the remarriage of war widows; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
A N S W E R
MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI SANJAY SETH)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
(a) & (b) Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) provides cashless and capless
healthcare to ex-servicemen through a wide network of polyclinics and empanelled hospitals.
Under this scheme, war widows are exempted from one time contribution towards ECHS
membership, since 8th March 2004.
(c) & (d) The Kendriya Sainik Board provides financial assistance of Rs. 1 lakh to Ex-Servicemen
(upto the rank of Havildar/equivalent) for marriage of daughter (upto two daughters) and to
widows of Ex-Servcemen.
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