Kendriya Sainik Board – New Role With Changing Environment For The Veterans’ Welfare

About the Sainik Board

The Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) stands as the apex body of the Government of India dedicated to the resettlement, rehabilitation, and welfare of Ex-Servicemen (ESM) and their families. Functioning under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW), Ministry of Defence, the KSB coordinates nationwide efforts through a network of Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs) and Zila Sainik Boards (ZSBs) to ensure the well-being of those who once served the nation in uniform.

Historical Background

From Indian Soldiers’ Board to Kendriya Sainik Board

The foundation of today’s KSB traces back to 7 September 1919, when the Indian Soldiers’ Board was established after the First World War. Its primary role was to advise the Government on welfare matters concerning Indian soldiers, sailors, and airmen — including pensions, awards, and support for families of the fallen.

Post World War II, the government created special employment exchanges to assist demobilized soldiers. The 1947–48 Jammu & Kashmir Operations highlighted the urgent need to rehabilitate war-disabled soldiers and widows, leading to the creation of a Resettlement Cell within the Army Headquarters.

In March 1951, this effort evolved into the Indian Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Board, encompassing all three defence services. Following the wars of 1965 and 1971, the scope of welfare and rehabilitation expanded immensely, leading to the formation of the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) in 1975.

8th CPC Expected Pay and Evolution of Central Government Pay Scales From 4th to 7th CPC

Shared Responsibility: Centre and States

The welfare of Ex-Servicemen (ESM) is a joint responsibility of the Central and State Governments.
While the KSB formulates policies at the national level, actual implementation and issue resolution predominantly occur at the State and District levels.

At present, the nationwide Sainik Welfare network includes:

🏛️ 34 Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs)
🏢 431 Zila Sainik Boards (ZSBs)

This structure was developed based on the High-Level Committee (HLC) Report, 1984 and the MoD Sub-Committee Report, 1993, ensuring a strong institutional framework for veterans’ welfare.

Organisational Structure

At the Centre

Ministry of Defence (MoD)
↳ Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW)
↳ Kendriya Sainik Board Secretariat (KSB Sectt)
↳ Other Attached Offices: Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), Central Organisation ECHS, and Pensions Department.

At the State Level

State Governments
↳ Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs)
↳ Zila Sainik Boards (ZSBs)

Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB): Composition and Role

The KSB is the apex policy-making body for the resettlement and welfare of Ex-Servicemen.
It is a 46-member board chaired by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister), with the Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri as the Vice President.

Key Members Include:

32 Chief Ministers / Lt. Governors of States & UTs
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
Chiefs of Army, Navy & Air Force
Three Members of Parliament
Secretaries of Defence, MHA, and ESW
Four Ex-Servicemen representatives (Officers/JCOs)
Secretary, KSB – Member Secretary

The Board meets annually, and its composition is officially notified through the Gazette of India.

KSB Secretariat

The KSB Secretariat, located at West Block-IV, Wing-VII, RK Puram, New Delhi – 110066, functions as an attached office of DESW, MoD.
It is headed by a serving Brigadier or equivalent officer from the Army, Navy, or Air Force (on rotational basis).

Functional Sections:

Policy
Welfare
Administration & Coordination
Accounts
Automation
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)
Grievances

📞 Contact: 011–26179109
🌐 Website: ksb.gov.in

Charter of Duties of KSB Secretariat

KSB carries out a wide spectrum of welfare functions, including:

💠 Support to ESM community through RSBs & ZSBs
📜 Implementation of Govt of India policies related to veterans
🧭 Guidance & monitoring of State Sainik Welfare Departments
💰 Budgetary support to RSBs/ZSBs
🎗️ Conduct of Armed Forces Flag Day (AFFD) and management of the AFFD Fund
🎓 Implementation of PM Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)
🗂️ Redressal of ESM grievances
🧾 Coordination of Defence Quota admissions in medical & dental colleges
🚉 Issuance of ID Cards for war widows & gallantry awardees for railway concessions
🏠 Administration of Central Sainik Rest House, New Delhi

Financial Assistance to States

KSB provides central financial support for Sainik Board functioning:

75% of Establishment Cost – For 12 Special Category States/UTs
60% of Establishment Cost – For remaining States/UTs
50% of Construction Cost – For new Sainik Rest Houses (SRH)
Maintenance Grant – ₹50,000 per annum for SRHs in special category states

State and District Level Organisation

Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs)

Each RSB formulates and implements State-level policies for Ex-Servicemen welfare.
The Chief Minister/Lt. Governor acts as the President, while the Director of Sainik Welfare serves as the Secretary.

RSBs oversee the functioning of Zila Sainik Boards (ZSBs) and ensure the smooth implementation of KSB policies across districts.

Composition of RSB:

President: Governor / Chief Minister
Vice President: Chief Secretary of State/UT
Members: State Ministers, Command HQ representatives (Army, Navy, Air Force), senior bureaucrats, and local formation commanders
Non-Official Members: Four Ex-Servicemen and Two Prominent Citizens
Member Secretary: Secretary RSB

(Note: DGR and Secretary KSB are special invitees to the meetings.)

In Service to Those Who Served the Nation

The Kendriya Sainik Board embodies the nation’s commitment to its soldiers beyond the battlefield.
Through its well-structured and coordinated network of RSBs and ZSBs, the KSB ensures that every Ex-Serviceman, war widow, and dependent receives the care, dignity, and support they rightfully deserve.

It continues to serve as the bridge between policy and people, upholding the nation’s promise —
🇮🇳 “In Service to Those Who Served the Nation.”