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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5656
TO BE ANSWERED ON 27th MARCH, 2026
WELFARE SCHEMES FOR EX-SERVICEMEN
5656. SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR:
Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the central welfare schemes being implemented by the Government for ex-
servicemen in the country;
(b) whether any provisions exist for pension and health facilities for ex-servicemen under these
schemes and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the number of ex-servicemen in the Shahjahanpur parliamentary constituency who have
been benefited from these schemes;
(d) whether the Government has identified any problems in creating awareness about ex-
servicemen welfare schemes and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government has made any assessment regarding the impact of these schemes
on the condition of ex-servicemen and if so, the details thereof?
A N S W E R
MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI SANJAY SETH)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
(a) & (b) The Government runs various welfare schemes for Ex-Servicemen and their
dependents through the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), the Directorate General Resettlement
(DGR) and the Ex-Servicemen Contributary Health Scheme (ECHS). The details of welfare
measures provided by KSB and the DGR are placed at Annexure-I and Annexure-II.
ECHS provides cashless and capless healthcare to ex-servicemen and other eligible
beneficiaries through a wide network of 456 polyclinics and 3144 empanelled hospitals in India
and Nepal.
(c) The total number of ESM/widows in the Shahjahanpur constituency in the State of Uttar
Pradesh is 4,028 who are covered under the various welfare schemes as per their entitlement.
..2/--2-
(d) and (e) KSB’s welfare schemes are implemented through the Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs)
and Zila Sainik Boards (ZSBs) in the State /UTs. Outreach regarding the schemes is done by
KSB, RSBs and ZSBs through display prominently in their offices and through wide publicity
and awareness amongst the ESM community. Further, the DGR organizes job fairs for ex-
servicemen across India in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry and Federation
of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and with the support of all the three Services
Headquarters. These welfare schemes are reviewed regularly to ensure welfare of the ESM.
....3/--3-
ANNEXURE I REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5656 FOR 27.03.2026 REGARDING WELFARE
SCHEMES FOR EX-SERVICEMEN.
1. Through Armed Forces Flag Day Fund-
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 Surgery, expenditure for officers &
Valve Replacement, Pacemaker Implant, Cerebral stroke, PBORs respectively.
Prostrate Surgery, Joint Replacement and Renal Failure. Upto Rs 1.50 Lakh (max).
75% & 90% of total
Other Diseases: Dialysis and Cancer treatment expenditure for officers &
PBORs respectively.
Upto a max of Rs
(Applicable to Non pensioners ESM/Widows/Dependents 75,000/- per annum for
for wife of ESM in all ranks) Cancer and Dialysis.
9 Modified Scooter to Disabled Ex-servicemen applicable Rs 1,00,000
upto JCO rank. (re-apply after 10 yrs)
ESM who are disabled after service with a disability 50% or
more.
....4/--4-
10 Interest Subsidy on Home Loan applicable upto JCO Rs 1,00,000 max (one
rank. Reimbursement of 50% interest charged by the banks time)
or Govt/Public Sector including LIC,GIC and HUDCO etc
for construction of house to War bereaved , War disabled and
attributable peace time casualties.
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 18 lakh
welfare association, Dehradun 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 36 Rs 1350/- per child per month
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.
....5/--5-
ANNEXURE II REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5656 FOR 27.03.2026 REGARDING WELFARE
SCHEMES FOR EX-SERVICEMEN.
Resettlement Opportunities
1 The Directorate General Resettlement implements a range of resettlement schemes to
facilitate gainful employment and self-employment of Ex-Servicemen (ESM) from all three
Services. These schemes are offered based on the willingness of ESM, fulfillment of prescribed
eligibility criteria and availability of vacancies
2. Resettlement Schemes run by Directorate General Resettlement
2.1 Placement Assistance through Online Registration: DGR provides
placement assistance to Ex-Servicemen through online registration on the DGR
Portal. ESM are sponsored against requisitions received from Government
Departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and Private Sector organizations.
Sponsorship is carried out based on voluntary applications by the ESM for the
advertised job positions, ensuring transparency and equal opportunity.
2.2 DGR Empanelled ESM Security Services Scheme: Under this scheme, DGR
empanels and sponsors individual ESM Security Agencies and State ESM Corporations
for providing security services to Public Sector Undertakings, Autonomous Bodies,
Organisations and Establishments under various GoI ministries/ departments, as also
Private Sector organisations. This scheme has been in force vide a Government of India,
Ministry of Defence order of 1994, and ensures protection and security of all assets
and property (including vital, sensitive & strategic assets) of govt organisations &
establishments, CPSUs/CPSEs, and autonomous bodies across the states & UTs, border
areas and island territories by Ex-Servicemen. The scheme promotes entrepreneurship
among ESM (Officers) as proprietors of Security Agencies while simultaneously
generating large scale employment opportunities for other ESM as security personnel.
2.3 ESM Coal Loading and Transportation Scheme: This scheme is governed
by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Coal India Limited (CIL) and
DGR. The scheme has remained suspended following unilateral withdrawal of CIL
from the MoU with effect from 30 June 2020. After sustained efforts, a revised MoU
was signed between DGR and CIL on 14 October 2025, restoring opportunities for Ex-
Servicemen to operate Coal Loading and Transportation Companies across various
subsidiaries of CIL. This scheme involves self-employment of ESM Officers as
Directors and other ranks as tipper owners. Widows/ wards and disabled ESM are
attached with the ESM company for monetary benefits based on one-time investment.
....6/--6-
2.4 Management of IGL/ MNGL CNG Stations by ESM: DGR has entered into
an arrangement with Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), New Delhi, to provide a panel of
retired defence officers (up to the rank of Brigadier and equivalent) for management of
IGL/CNG stations in Delhi/ NCR. Eligible ESM officers registered under the scheme
are sponsored in the ratio of 1:2 against requisitions received from IGL. Selected
officers are engaged on a contractual basis for five years, renewable annually. Monthly
remuneration is approximately Rs.90,000/-. A similar scheme has been operational
since 2015 with Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) in Pune, Maharashtra.
2.5 Management of Company Owned Company Operated (COCO) Retail
Outlets: As per the policy of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG),
COCO retail outlets are offered for management by retired Armed Forces Officers and
JCOs below 60 years of age on a contractual basis for a maximum period of three years.
The scheme is operational pan-India. Officers are sponsored by DGR, while JCOs are
sponsored through respective Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs). Oil Marketing Companies
pay a fixed remuneration of ₹30,000 per month, in addition to performance-based
incentives on sales. Detailed policy guidelines are available on the websites of IOCL,
BPCL and HPCL.
2.6 Issue of DGR Eligibility Certificate for LPG / Retail Outlet Distributorship
(8% Reservation Quota): DGR issues eligibility certificates to eligible ESM for
allotment of LPG distributorships and Petrol/Diesel retail outlets advertised by Oil
Marketing Companies under the 8% reservation quota. Eligible categories include Ex-
Servicemen, War Widows, Widows/ dependents of personnel who died in war or in
harness due to attributable/aggravated causes and personnel disabled due to service-
related causes.
2.7 Allotment of Mother Dairy Milk Booths and Safal (Fruit & Vegetable)
Shops in NCR: This scheme is operated under an MoU between DGR and Mother
Dairy. Fully furnished milk booths and Safal fruit and vegetable shops are allotted to
ESM (below officer rank) in the NCR.ESM are sponsored by DGR in the ratio of 3:1
against requisitions received from Mother Dairy. Selected candidates undergo two
weeks of training and deposit a refundable security amount of ₹1,00,000 at the time of
allotment. A minimum assured commission of ₹15,000 per month is guaranteed for
milk booths, while ₹45,000 per month is assured for Safal booths for the first six
months. ESM are permitted to operate booths up to the age of 60 years, extendable by
two additional years.
2.8 DGR Technical Service Scheme: Under this scheme, DGR provides trained
Ex-Servicemen as technical manpower to Government establishments through
empanelled State Ex-Servicemen Corporations. The scheme leverages the technical
expertise and discipline of ESM for public sector requirements.
....7/--7-
2.9 Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) for Ex-
Servicemen: The PMBJP aims to provide affordable quality generic medicines
through dedicated outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras
(PMBJK). The scheme is implemented by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices
Bureau of India (PMBI), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals. Under PMBJP,
Janaushadhi kendras owners earn 20% margin on MRP of each medicine sold providing
a core revenue stream. In addition, normal incentives are paid at 20% of monthly
purchases made from PMBI upto Rs20,000 per month.
2.10 DGR Ex-Servicemen Seminars-cum-Job Fairs: DGR organizes Ex-
Servicemen Job Fairs across the country with the support of the three Service
Headquarters and CII/various state chambers and industry bodies. These job fairs
provide a direct interface between employers and ESM, and include on-the-spot skill
tests, interviews and employment opportunities in the public/ private sector.12 Job Fairs
were conducted during FY 2024–25, and 14 out of 20 Job Fairs have been conducted
in FY 2025–26 up to 31 January 2026.
3. Resettlement Training and Skill Development Courses: Approximately 60,000
Armed Forces personnel retire every year at a relatively young age and require meaningful
second career opportunities. To facilitate their smooth transition to civilian life, DGR conducts
a wide range of resettlement training and skill development courses, details of which are as
under:-
3.1 Management and Professional Courses: Management courses for officers are
conducted for a duration of 24 weeks at reputed institutions such as Indian Institutes of
Management (IIMs) and other leading B-Schools. Additionally, a two-week
Independent Directors Course is conducted at the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs
(IICA), Manesar, for officers of the rank of Colonels and above.
3.2 Resettlement courses for JCO/OR and equivalent ranks: DGR conducts
Resettlement courses in various disciplines like IT, management, security,
entrepreneurship, agribusiness and emerging technologies like AI, Data Science and
Drone Technology. These courses have a duration of three to four months and are
conducted in premiere govt/ govt autonomous institutes.
3.3 Eligibility: Training is conducted during the terminal phase of service within
the last one year for officers and the last two years for JCOs/OR. Post-retirement,
officers can avail training within three years, while JCOs/OR are eligible up to five
years after retirement.
3.4 Fees/Financial assistance by Govt.: For officers, 60% of the course fee is
borne by MoD/DGR and 40% by the individual. For JCOs/OR, 100% of the course fee
is borne by MoD/DGR. Widows of officers, JCOs and OR are also eligible to undertake
any DGR sponsored course.
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