Parliament Question: Pension and welfare support for war widows and families of martyrs

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 respectively. 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 award. 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 Rs. 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 benefit. …..2/-:2: ANNEXURE I REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2592 FOR 16.03.2026 REGARDING PENSION AND WELFARE SUPPORT FOR WAR WIDOWS AND FAMILIES OF MARTYRS. 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 ICOs Rank in Army (and equivalent Count of spouse drawing Count of families drawing LFP ranks in Navy and Air Force) LFP other than spouse Lt 23 2 Capt 83 1 Major 220 2 Lt Col 72 Col 40 Brig 10 Maj Gen 3 1 JCOs/ORs Sepoy 4,606 1,265 Naik 1,504 67 Havildar 1,081 21 Artificer 2 Nb Sub 343 5 Sub 326 4 Sub Maj 13 Hony Lt 2 Hony Capt 1 Total 8,329 1,368 b Rank-wise Liberalised Family Pension disbursed through SPARSH in the month of Feb 2026 is as under :- Table-2 ICOs JCOs/ORs Rank Amount Disbursed Rank Amount Disbursed Lt 35,60,288 Sepoy 32,25,00,722 Capt 1,38,04,248 Naik 10,83,48,593 Major 4,14,02,356 Havildar 9,42,88,046 Lt Col 2,08,25,641 Artificer 1,47,965 Col 1,42,38,478 Nb Sub 3,55,50,647 Brig 38,99,486 Sub 3,37,44,930 Maj 12,03,588 Sub Maj 21,09,358 Gen Genera 2,37,000 Hony Lt 3,95,558 l Total 9,91,71,086 Total 59,70,85,819 …..3/-:3: ANNEXURE II REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2592 FOR 16.03.2026 REGARDING PENSION AND WELFARE SUPPORT FOR WAR WIDOWS AND FAMILIES OF MARTYRS. 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 Beneficiaries. 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) 14.5% in all Direct Recruitment Group ‘C’ Posts. (ii) 24.5% 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. …..4/-:4: ANNEXURE III REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2592 FOR 16.03.2026 PENSION AND WELFARE SUPPORT FOR WAR WIDOWS AND FAMILIES OF MARTYRS. Sr Grants Amount (in Rs) 1 Penury Grant (65 Yrs and above) Rs 8,000/-pm (Non-Pensioners upto Hav Rank) 2 Education Grant (upto two children) (i) Boys/Girls upto Graduation Rs 2,000/-pm (ii) Widows for PG (Pensioner/Non-Pensioner upto Hav Rank) and upto two children 3 Disabled Children Grant Rs 3,000/-pm (Pensioner/Non-pen upto JCO Rank) 4 Daughter’s Marriage Grant (upto 02 Daughters) (Pensioner/Non-Pen upto Hav Rank) Rs 1,00,000/- Widow Re-Marriage Grant (Pensioner/Non-Pen upto Hav Rank) 5 Medical Treatment Grant Rs 50,000/- (Max) (Non-pensioner upto Hav Rank) 6 Orphan Grant (Pensioner/Non-pen All Ranks) Rs 3,000/- pm  Daughters of ex-servicemen till she is married.  One Son of ESM upto 21 years of age. 7 Vocational Trg Grant for Widows Rs 50,000/- (Pensioner/non-Pen upto Hav Rank) (One Time) 8 Serious Diseases as listed below: - 75% & 90% of total Angioplasty & Angiography, CABG, Open Heart expenditure for officers & Surgery, Valve Replacement, Pacemaker Implant, PBORs respectively. Cerebral stroke, Prostrate Surgery, Joint Replacement Upto Rs 1.50 Lakh (max). and Renal Failure. 75% & 90% of total expenditure for officers & Other Diseases: Dialysis and Cancer treatment PBORs respectively. Upto a max of Rs 75,000/- per annum for (Applicable to Non pensioners Cancer and Dialysis. ESM/widows/Dependents for wife of ESM in all ranks) 9 Modified Scooter to Disabled Ex-servicemen Rs 1,00,000 applicable upto JCO rank. (re-apply after 10 yrs) ESM who are disabled after service with a disability 50% or more. 10 Interest Subsidy on Home Loan applicable upto JCO Rs 1,00,000 max (one rank. Reimbursement of 50% interest charged by the time) banks or Govt/Public Sector including LIC, GIC and HUDCO etc for construction of house to War bereaved, War disabled and attributable peace time casualties. …..5/-:5: 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:- Ser Organisation Quantum of Aid/Grant 1 Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centers Establishment grant (per annum) (i) Kirkee (ii) Mohali (i)Rs 1.20 Cr 30,000/- pa wef Apr 2016 per inmate (ii)Rs 10 lakh (wef Apr 2015) 2 All India Gorkha Ex-servicemen Rs. 12 lakh per annum (enhanced to Rs welfare association, Dehradun 18 lakh per annum wef FY 2026-27). 3 Cheshire Homes (i) Lucknow Rs 15,000/- per annum per inmate (ii) Dehradun (iii) Delhi 4 War Memorial Hostels. There are Rs 1350/- per child per month 36 WMHs which provide shelter to the children of War Widows/War disabled, attributable and non attributable cases. 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. *****