Defence Pensions and personnel welfare under Budgetary Allocation

Defence Pensions and personnel welfare under Budgetary Allocation. The 2025-26 budget reveals a 13.5% increase in defence pension allocations, driven by the third revision of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme and an expected rise in pensioners. This enhancement aims to ensure equitable pensions for personnel of the same rank and service length. Additionally, the budget supports various welfare initiatives for active and retired defence personnel, including improved medical services, housing upgrades, vocational training, and recreational facilities. These efforts are designed to promote the well-being of ex-servicemen, facilitating their transition to civilian life while recognizing their invaluable contributions to national security.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1162

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10th March, 2025

DEFENCE PENSIONS AND PERSONNEL WELFARE UNDER BUDGETARY ALLOCATION

1162 SMT. REKHA SHARMA:
SMT. KIRAN CHOUDHRY:
Will the Minister of Defence be pleased to state:

(a) the factors that contributed to the 13.5 per cent increase in defence pension allocation for 2025-26;

(b) the manner in which the increased pension budget will benefit ex-servicemen, particularly under schemes like One Rank, One Pension (OROP);

(c) whether there are any new initiatives planned for the welfare of active and retired defence personnel; 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): Increase in Defence pension allocation for the financial year (FY) 2025-26 is due to the third revision of pension of Armed Forces pensioners/family pensioners under One Rank One Pension(OROP) implemented with effect from 01.07.2024, estimated increase in number of pensioners during the financial year 2025-26 and expected hike in Dearness Relief during the financial year 2025-26.

(b): As mentioned in part (a) above, the increased pension budget will take care of the increase in monthly pension of the pensioners due to expected hike in Dearness Relief during the financial year 2025-26. In addition to this, increased pension budget will also fund the increase in pension due to third revision of pension under One Rank One Pension (OROP). It will ensure uniform pension to the Defence Forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of their date of retirement, which implies bridging the gap between the rates of pension of current and past pensioners.

(c) & (d): Various initiatives for welfare of Defence Personnel are carried out which is an ongoing process. This includes initiatives such as benefits like ex-gratia/ welfare schemes for battle causalities, physical causalities and for disabled soldiers, skilling and training for serving personnel to prepare them for retirement and second job opportunities, improving the living conditions, hygiene and waste management under Swachhta Action Plan, augmentation/ up-gradation of medical services, construction of married accommodation to overcome the shortfalls, renovation/revamp/reconstruction of family welfare centers, modern sports infrastructure, shopping centers and Unit Run Canteens, provisioning of recreational infrastructure, establishment of Crèche facilities, dedicated helpline for ensuring mental and physical well being etc.

*****