The government has taken significant steps to ensure pension benefits and employment opportunities for ex-servicemen across the country. The implementation of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme has been a key initiative aimed at bridging the pension gap between current and past retirees of the same rank with similar lengths of service.
Additionally, various resettlement and skill development programs, as well as employment and self-employment schemes, are being facilitated to create job opportunities for ex-servicemen in government organizations, public sector undertakings, corporate houses, private sector companies, and Central Para-Military Forces, according to Minister of State for Defence in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
Moreover, the government has reserved 14.5% of vacancies in Group ‘C’ and 24.5% of vacancies in Group ‘D’ posts for ex-servicemen in Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and Public Sector Banks. This includes a 4.5% reservation for disabled ex-servicemen and dependents of service personnel killed in action. Vacancies are also reserved for widows of ex-servicemen and wards of battle casualties in the officer selection process of the Indian Army. Additionally, 5% vacancies in the Short Service Commission for women are reserved for widows of Defence personnel who have died in harness.
Special provisions have been made for the families of soldiers who lost their lives in service due to causes attributed to military duties. They are provided with Special Family Pensions or Liberalized Family Pensions, along with Ex-Gratia and Gratuity benefits, all processed within a time-bound framework.
The census data of ex-servicemen in the country, categorized by state and Union Territory, indicates a total of 2.78 million ex-servicemen as of December 31, 2023.