This policy outlines the Indian government's initiatives to support ex-servicemen (ESM) through pensions and job opportunities. It reaffirms the government's commitment to providing adequate pensions according to existing rules, with the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme aiming to equalize pension rates for retirees of the same rank and length of service.
Beyond pensions, the policy emphasizes resettlement, skill development, and employment schemes designed to facilitate the transition of ESM into civilian life. These schemes target job opportunities within government organizations, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), corporate houses, the private sector, and Central Para Military Forces. The government collaborates with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to organize job fairs across India, providing a platform for direct interaction between employers and ESM, including on-site skill assessments, interviews, and potential employment offers.
Specific provisions include a reservation of 14.5% of vacancies in Group C and 24.5% of vacancies in Group D posts within Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and Public Sector Banks (PSBs) for ESM. A subset of these reserved vacancies, 4.5%, is specifically allocated for disabled ESM and dependents of service personnel killed in action.
As of June 30, 2024, the total ex-servicemen population in India is 2,831,109, distributed across states and union territories. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of ex-servicemen (426,179), followed by Punjab (382,694) and Rajasthan (212,415). Lakshadweep has the lowest number of ex-servicemen (0).
The policy information was provided by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: The Indian government ministry responsible for defence.
One Rank One Pension (OROP): A scheme to bridge the gap between the rates of pension of current and past pensioners retiring in the same rank with the same length of service.
Ex-Servicemen: Former members of the armed forces.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India with 78,148 ex-servicemen as of 30.06.2024.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India with 4,26,179 ex-servicemen as of 30.06.2024.
Punjab: A state in India with 3,82,694 ex-servicemen as of 30.06.2024.
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII): An organization that collaborates with the government to organize job fairs for ex-servicemen.
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI): An organization that collaborates with the government to organize job fairs for ex-servicemen.
Ministry of Defence
PENSION AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES TO THE EX-
SERVICEMEN
Posted On: 11 AUG 2025 4:43PM by PIB Delhi
The Government is providing adequate pension to the ex-servicemen in the country as per extant rules.
Additionally, the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme seeks to bridge the gap between the rates of
pension of current and past pensioners retiring in the same rank with the same length of service. Further,
various Re-settlement/ Skill Development Training Courses, Employment and Self-Employment Schemes are
being run by the Government to provide job opportunities to the Ex-Servicemen in Government
Organizations, Public Sector Undertaking, Corporate Houses, Private Sector, Central Para Military Forces etc.
based on their requisition for employment of ESM.
The total population of ex-servicemen in the country, State/UT-wise, is as follows:
Census Data of ESM as on 30.06.2024
S No States/UTs Total
1. Andhra Pradesh 78,148
2. Arunachal Pradesh 986
3. Assam 41,656
4. Bihar 1,33,526
5. Chhattisgarh 7,355
6. Goa 2,389
7. Gujarat 33,773
8. Haryana 1,77,771
9. Himachal Pradesh 1,29,656
10. Jharkhand 30,546
11. Karnataka 94,530
12. Kerala 1,82,368
13. Madhya Pradesh 58,464
14. Maharashtra 2,01,628
15. Manipur 8,744
16. Meghalaya 3,012
17. Mizoram 5,975
18. Nagaland 3,284
19. Odisha 53,025
20. Punjab 3,82,694
21. Rajasthan 2,12,41522. Sikkim 1,094
23. Tamil Nadu 1,23,349
24. Telangana 27,853
25. Tripura 2,609
26. Uttar Pradesh 4,26,179
27. Uttarakhand 1,39,882
28. West Bengal 1,07,450
29. Andaman & Nicobar 1,123
30. Chandigarh 8,463
Daman & Diu and Dadra
31. 0
Nagar Haveli
32. Delhi 63,614
33. Jammu & Kashmir 78,592
34. Lakshadweep 0
35. Leh & Ladakh 6,479
36. Puducherry 2,477
Total 28,31,109
The Government organises the job fairs for ex-servicemen across pan India in collaboration with
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
(FICCI) and with the support of all the three Service Headquarters. It offers a direct interface between the
employer and the prospective candidate that includes on the spot skill test, interview and employment by the
Corporate sector.
Further, there is a reservation of 14.5% vacancies in Group ‘C’ and 24.5% vacancies in Group ‘D’ posts for
Ex-servicemen in Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and Public Sector Banks (PSBs). This
includes 4.5% vacancies for disabled Ex-servicemen & dependents of service personnel killed in action.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth in a written reply in the Rajya
Sabha today.
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VK/SR/PC
(Release ID: 2155070)