MoD doubles 3 grants for ex-soldiers, families

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a 100 per increase in financial assistance for ex-servicemen and their dependents under schemes implemented by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare through the Kendriya Sainik Board.

Enhanced assistance

The penury grant has been doubled from Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000 a month, providing sustained lifetime support to ex-servicemen who did not qualify for pension 

The education grant has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 a month per head for up to two dependent children from class 1 to graduation

The marriage grant has been raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000, applicable to up to two daughters of the ex-servicemen and for widow remarriage

As per the list of enhanced benefits released by the Ministry of Defence, the penury grant has been doubled from Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000 a month per beneficiary, providing sustained lifetime support to aged ex-servicemen who did not qualify for pension. The grant will also apply to their widows above 65 years of age.

The penury grant is for those who don’t have the financial means and applies to officers and jawans who served less than 20 years and 15 years, respectively.

The education grant has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 a month per head for up to two dependent children from class 1 to graduation. For widows of soldiers, this will be extended for pursuing a two-year postgraduate course.

The marriage grant has been raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 per beneficiary. It is applicable for up to two daughters of the ex-servicemen and for widow remarriage.

The revised rates take effect for applications submitted from November 01, 2025 onwards, with an annual financial implication of approximately Rs 257 crore to be met from the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF). These schemes are funded through the ‘Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund’, which is a subset the AFFDF.

The MoD said the decision strengthened the social security for non-pensioner soldiers, widows, and dependents from lower-income groups, reaffirming the government’s commitment to honouring the service and sacrifice of the veterans.