Govt Doubles Financial Aid for Ex-Servicemen and Dependents from November 2025

Shri Rajnath Singh emphasized that the decision reflects the Government’s enduring respect and gratitude for the armed forces community.

In a major welfare boost for India’s ex-servicemen community, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has approved a 100% increase in financial assistance for Ex-Servicemen (ESM), their widows, and dependents under key welfare schemes operated through the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB). The decision, taken under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) of the Ministry of Defence, underscores the Government’s sustained commitment to the welfare, dignity, and financial security of those who have served the nation.

A Major Step Toward Strengthening Veterans’ Welfare

The enhancement covers three key welfare schemes—Penury Grant, Education Grant, and Marriage Grant—all funded through the Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund, a subset of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF). The revised rates will come into effect for applications submitted from November 1, 2025, and are expected to benefit tens of thousands of ex-servicemen and their families across the country.

The decision will have an annual financial implication of approximately ₹257 crore, which will be met from the AFFDF. The move is expected to make a tangible difference in the lives of aged, non-pensioner veterans and their dependents, who often rely on these grants for essential social and economic support.

Key Enhancements Announced

Under the new approval, financial aid under three major categories has been doubled, marking one of the most significant upward revisions in recent years:

• Penury Grant: Increased from ₹4,000 to ₹8,000 per month per beneficiary. This grant provides sustained, lifetime support to aged non-pensioner ESM and their widows above 65 years of age who have no regular source of income. The enhancement will ensure greater financial stability for these beneficiaries who are often among the most vulnerable.

• Education Grant: Raised from ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 per month per head. This is applicable for up to two dependent children (from Class I to Graduation) or for widows pursuing a two-year postgraduate course. The increase aims to ensure that children and widows of ESM can access quality education without financial constraints.

• Marriage Grant: Increased from ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000 per beneficiary. This grant supports the marriage expenses of up to two daughters of ESM as well as widows remarrying. The new rates will apply to marriages solemnized after the issuance of the order.

Empowering the Ex-Servicemen Community

The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, through the Kendriya Sainik Board, implements several schemes to ensure that veterans and their families continue to receive support in areas such as education, healthcare, housing, and livelihood. This latest enhancement doubles the scale of monetary assistance available, ensuring that financial aid keeps pace with rising costs of living.

These measures come as part of the Government’s broader effort to modernize welfare mechanisms for ex-servicemen and their dependents. With the steady increase in the number of non-pensioner veterans and widows in need of assistance, the doubling of grants will provide a crucial safety net for thousands of families nationwide.

A Tribute to Service and Sacrifice

Shri Rajnath Singh emphasized that the decision reflects the Government’s enduring respect and gratitude for the armed forces community. “Our veterans have devoted their lives to protecting the nation. It is our responsibility to ensure their well-being and that of their families,” he noted.

The Ministry of Defence has, in recent years, expanded its focus on ex-servicemen welfare, including schemes for skill development, healthcare under the ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme), and resettlement programs through the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR). The latest revision of KSB-administered financial assistance complements these ongoing initiatives.

Funding and Administration

The Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF), managed by the Kendriya Sainik Board, serves as the primary funding source for such welfare activities. The Fund relies on voluntary contributions from citizens, corporate donations, and government allocations. The Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund, drawn from AFFDF, ensures financial sustainability for various assistance schemes that reach lakhs of beneficiaries annually.

With the enhanced grants, the Government aims to not only improve financial assistance levels but also streamline the application and disbursal process to make support more accessible and transparent.

Reinforcing Social Security for Veterans

The doubling of these grants significantly enhances the social safety net for non-pensioner ESM, their widows, and dependents—especially those from lower-income groups. For many, these grants provide essential financial relief to meet basic needs, support children’s education, or manage significant family events such as marriages.

This initiative reinforces the Government’s broader mission of ensuring that no veteran or their family is left behind, thereby honoring the lifelong service and sacrifice of India’s defence personnel.

Looking Ahead

The revised financial assistance is expected to strengthen the welfare framework for India’s veteran community and serve as a model for future policy reforms in ex-servicemen welfare. By doubling financial grants and ensuring sustained support, the Ministry of Defence reaffirms its dedication to the principle of “Nation First, Veterans Always.”