Are you a Defence Pensioner ? Retired from Army, Navy or Air Force ? If Yes, then this is for you. Defence pensioners who are drawing pension through SPARSH and have already been migrated their PPO to the SPARSH platform or have received their SPARSH User ID and Password must ensure that their employment or re-employment status is updated on the portal. This is not merely a formality—it is a mandatory compliance requirement that directly affects the regulation of Dearness Relief (DR) on pension.
The SPARSH portal has introduced a dedicated feature that allows pensioners to declare and update their employment status online. In this article, we explain the step-by-step process to update re-employment details on SPARSH, the documents required, and the rules governing Dearness Relief for re-employed defence pensioners.
Why Updating Employment Status on SPARSH is Important
The Ministry of Defence requires pensioners to declare whether they are employed or re-employed after retirement. This information is essential for determining eligibility for Dearness Relief on pension.
Failure to update employment details or submit the required certificate may lead to suspension of DR payments until the correct information is furnished. During submission of your Life Certificate in SPARSH Portal, this is essential.
The newly introduced SPARSH facility enables pensioners to complete this process online from the comfort of their homes using their SPARSH login credentials or through a registered service centre.
Step-by-Step Process to Update Employment and Re-Employment Status on SPARSH
Step 1: Login to the SPARSH Portal
Visit the official SPARSH portal: https://www.sparsh.defencepension.gov.in Enter your: SPARSH User ID, Password & CAPTCHA code. After successful login, proceed to your dashboard.
Step 2: Access the Employment/Re-Employment Section
After logging in:
- Go to My Profile.
- Locate the newly added Employment/Re-Employment option.
- Click on the option to view your current employment declaration.
You may see the status that was declared during your Pensioner Data Verification (PDV), such as “Not Employed.”
If your status has changed, it is your responsibility to update the correct information.
Step 3: Add Re-Employment Details
If you are currently re-employed:
- Select Yes when asked whether you want to change the employment status.
- Click on Add Employment.
You will be required to enter the following information:
Organization Type
Select the appropriate category:
Central Government Department
State Government Department
Government Company
Public Sector Undertaking (PSU)
Corporation
Autonomous Body
Cooperative Society
Office Name : Enter the name of the office or organization where you are employed.
Employment Period : Provide:
From Date – Date of joining employment.
To Date – Date of completion of employment (if applicable). If employment is ongoing, leave the “To Date” field blank.
Pay Commission Details
Select: Applicable Pay Commission
Pay Scale
Fixed Pay Information – Enter details of your fixed pay, if applicable.
Pensioners receiving pay protection or whose pay has been fixed at a higher stage due to advance increments should ensure that these details are properly reflected in the re-employment certificate.
Step 4: Upload Re-Employment Certificate
The next step is uploading the certificate issued by your re-employing organization.
Document Requirements
Format: PDF, Maximum File Size: 10 MB, Certificate must clearly mention re-employment details
To upload:
- Click Choose File.
- Select the PDF document.
- Upload the file.
- Click Add.
Step 5: Save and Submit
After verifying all information:
- Click Save.
- A service request will be generated.
- You will receive a Token Number.
This token number can be used to track the status of your request on the SPARSH portal.
Once processed, your employment/re-employment status will be updated in the SPARSH system.
How Employment Status Affects Dearness Relief (DR)
The primary objective of updating employment status is the proper regulation of Dearness Relief on pension.
If You Are Re-Employed
Depending on your category and conditions of re-employment, DR may be regulated as per pension rules.
If You Are Not Re-Employed
Your Dearness Relief will continue normally, subject to other eligibility conditions.
If Employment Has Ended
You should immediately update the cessation of employment in SPARSH to ensure uninterrupted payment of admissible Dearness Relief.
Relevant Pension Rules: Regulation 12 of Pension Regulations for the Army, 2008 (Part-I) (Similar Provisions exist in Air Force Regulation and Naval Regulations also)
The applicability of Dearness Relief on pension is governed by Regulation 12 of Pension Regulations for the Army, 2008 (Part-I).
Regulation 12(a)
Dearness Relief against price rise may be granted to pensioners and family pensioners at rates and conditions prescribed by the Government from time to time.
Regulation 12(b)
A pensioner re-employed under: Central Government
State Government
PSU
Government Company
Corporation
Autonomous Body
Government-controlled Bank
in India or abroad shall generally not be eligible to draw Dearness Relief during the period of re-employment, except where specific exemptions apply.
Such pensioners are required to furnish an employment/non-employment certificate annually during November.
Regulation 12(c)
If the required certificate is not submitted, payment of Dearness Relief can be stopped until the certificate is produced.
Regulation 12(d): Special Provision for Re-Employed JCOs and Other Ranks
A significant relaxation exists for Armed Forces pensioners below Commissioned Officer rank.
Dearness Relief may continue to be admissible if the re-employing Central Government department certifies that:
Condition 1
The entire military pension was ignored while fixing pay in the re-employed post.
OR
No part of the pension was considered in pay fixation.
Condition 2
The pay was fixed at the minimum of the pay scale of the re-employed post.
When both conditions are satisfied and certified by the employer, eligible JCOs and Other Ranks (ORs) can continue receiving Dearness Relief.
Regulation 12(e): Family Pensioners
Family pensioners who are employed continue to remain eligible for Dearness Relief on family pension even during employment.
Regulation 12(f): Pensioners Employed Outside India
Defence pensioners working:
- Under a foreign government, or
- In a private organization outside India
remain eligible for Dearness Relief on pension or family pension.
Important Note for Retired Officers
As per the explanation under Regulation 12, pensioners who retired in the rank of Commissioned Officer are generally not entitled to Dearness Relief on pension during the period of re-employment.
Therefore, retired officers should carefully review their re-employment status and ensure timely declaration on SPARSH.
Key Takeaways
Updating employment and re-employment status on SPARSH is mandatory for defence pensioners.
The facility is available online through the SPARSH portal and at service centres.
A valid re-employment certificate in PDF format (up to 10 MB) is required.
Failure to submit employment details may result in suspension of Dearness Relief.
Re-employed JCOs and Other Ranks may continue receiving DR if prescribed conditions regarding pay fixation are fulfilled.
Family pensioners remain eligible for DR even during employment.
Retired officers generally cannot draw DR during the period of re-employment.
Conclusion
The SPARSH portal has significantly simplified pension administration by enabling defence pensioners to update employment and re-employment details online. Since Dearness Relief entitlement is closely linked to employment status, pensioners should not delay updating their records. Timely submission of accurate information and supporting certificates will help avoid disruption of pension benefits and ensure smooth regulation of Dearness Relief as per applicable pension regulations.