Defence & Ex-Servicemen Schemes

ECHS is the Ministry of Defence health scheme that gives pensioner ex-servicemen and their dependents cashless, capless medical care through 427 polyclinics, service hospitals and empanelled hospitals. Membership is lifelong for a one-time contribution of Rs 30,000 to Rs 1,20,000 by rank. Apply online for the 64 KB smart card at echs.gov.in.

iDEX is the Ministry of Defence innovation programme that funds Indian startups, MSMEs and individual innovators to build defence technologies. iDEX pays SPARK grants of up to Rs 1.5 crore, iDEX Prime grants up to Rs 10 crore and ADITI grants up to Rs 25 crore covering half the product development budget. Applications open at idex.gov.in.

PMSS is a Kendriya Sainik Board scholarship that pays Rs 30,000 a year to boys and Rs 36,000 a year to girls among dependent wards and widows of ex-servicemen and ex-Coast Guard personnel. A total of 5,500 scholarships are awarded each year, 2,750 to each gender. Applicants need 60 per cent in the minimum educational qualification and apply at online.ksb.gov.in.

SPARSH is the Ministry of Defence online system that sanctions and disburses pension to Army, Navy, Air Force and Defence Civilian pensioners without a bank intermediary. Pensioners log in at sparsh.defencepension.gov.in to view the PPO, download pension slips, raise grievances and complete the once-a-year identification that keeps the monthly pension flowing. Helpline 1800-180-5325.

The Armed Forces Flag Day Fund serious disease grant reimburses non-pensioner ex-servicemen of all ranks and their widows up to Rs 1,50,000 one time for listed serious diseases, and up to Rs 75,000 a year for cancer or dialysis. Officers get 75 per cent and other ranks 90 per cent of expenditure. Apply through your Zila Sainik Board.

The DGR Security Agency Scheme lets retired armed forces officers run their own private security agency and be sponsored to public sector undertakings, banks and government offices. Retired officers register online at dgrindia.gov.in before turning 59, complete a 3-step registration and empanelment, and operate under DESW guidelines dated 13 May 2021.

The RMEWF Education Grant pays Rs 1,000 per month per child, for a maximum of two children, to ex-servicemen up to the rank of Havildar and their widows, covering classes 1 to 12 and undergraduate degree courses. Widows can claim it for a 2-year post-graduate degree. Apply online on ksb.gov.in after each academic year.

The RMEWF Penury Grant pays Rs 4,000 per month for life, released annually, to destitute non-pensioner ex-servicemen up to the rank of Havildar and their widows who are 65 years of age on 1 April of the year of application. Apply online on the Kendriya Sainik Board portal ksb.gov.in through your Zila Sainik Welfare Officer.

Technology Development Fund is a Ministry of Defence programme run by DRDO that funds up to 90% of a defence technology project cost, capped at Rs 50 crore per project, as grant-in-aid. Indian MSMEs, DPIIT-recognised start-ups and companies apply online at tdf.drdo.gov.in against open project calls. Individuals cannot apply.

The Armed Forces Flag Day Fund home loan interest subsidy reimburses 50 per cent of the interest on a house construction loan, on a loan amount of up to Rs 1,00,000, for a maximum of 5 years. Only war bereaved, war disabled and attributable peacetime casualties qualify. Claims go through the Zila Sainik Board to the Kendriya Sainik Board.

The Armed Forces Flag Day Fund mobility equipment grant pays up to Rs 1,00,000 to an ex-serviceman of any rank who became disabled after retirement with a disability of 50 per cent or more, to buy a modified scooter or similar mobility equipment. The rate applies from 1 April 2022. Apply through your Zila Sainik Board.

The DGR Scheme for Providing Technical Services supplies ex-servicemen manpower to government establishments for operating and maintaining technical equipment, through State ESM Corporations empanelled with the Directorate General Resettlement. Approved on 6 February 2020, it fixes a 14 per cent service charge and a 65-year upper age limit for ESM technicians.

The RMEWF daughter's marriage grant pays Rs 50,000 per daughter, for up to two daughters, to ex-servicemen of the rank of Havildar and below or their widows, for marriages solemnised after 1 April 2016. The same grant covers remarriage of an ESM widow. Apply online on ksb.gov.in within 180 days of the marriage.

Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund Disabled Children Grant pays Rs 3,000 per month, released once a year, for a 100 per cent disabled child of an ex-serviceman of JCO rank and below. Applications go to the Zila Sainik Board by 31 December each year and are approved by the Kendriya Sainik Board.

Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund Orphan Children Grant pays Rs 3,000 a month, released once a year, to orphan sons below 21 years and unmarried orphan daughters of ex-servicemen of all ranks. Applications are submitted to the Zila Sainik Board, which forwards recommended cases to the Kendriya Sainik Board Secretariat.

Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund Vocational Training for Widows gives a one-time grant of up to Rs 50,000 to the widow of an ex-serviceman of Havildar rank or below after she completes a vocational course. Applications are filed with the Zila Sainik Board, which forwards them to the Kendriya Sainik Board every July.