DGR Mother Dairy & SAFAL Booth Scheme: A Golden Business Opportunity for Ex-Servicemen
Transitioning from military service to civilian life is one of the biggest challenges faced by armed forces personnel. While serving the nation, soldiers dedicate the best years of their lives to protecting national security. After retirement, finding stable employment often becomes difficult.
To address this challenge, the Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR), functioning under the Ministry of Defence, has introduced several rehabilitation and self-employment initiatives. Among the most successful is the DGR Mother Dairy & SAFAL Booth Scheme, which provides retired defence personnel and their families with a sustainable source of income through the operation of Mother Dairy Milk Booths and SAFAL Fruit & Vegetable outlets.
The scheme has helped thousands of veterans achieve financial independence while ensuring a respectable second career.
What is the DGR Mother Dairy & SAFAL Booth Scheme?
The scheme is a joint initiative of the Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) and Mother Dairy. It is designed exclusively for Ex-Servicemen (ESM), War Widows and eligible dependents.
Selected candidates are allotted fully developed and operational Mother Dairy Milk Booths or SAFAL Fruit & Vegetable outlets, enabling them to start earning immediately after completing the mandatory training.
The objective is to provide long-term financial stability and meaningful post-retirement employment without requiring prior business experience.
Objectives of the Scheme
The scheme aims to:
Provide dignified self-employment opportunities for retired defence personnel.
Help veterans become financially independent.
Support war widows and eligible dependents.
Promote entrepreneurship among the armed forces community.
Ensure smooth transition from military to civilian life.
Strengthen social and economic rehabilitation of ex-servicemen.
Locations Where the Scheme is Available
At present, the scheme operates in selected cities including:
Delhi NCR
Nagpur
Varanasi
Within Delhi NCR, booth allotments are available across several operational zones including:
East Delhi
West Delhi
North Delhi
South Delhi
Central Delhi
Ghaziabad
Noida
Greater Noida
Faridabad
Gurugram
The scheme may expand to additional cities based on future requirements.
Eligibility Criteria for Mother Dairy Milk Booth
Applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
Be an Ex-Serviceman from the Army, Navy or Air Force.
Eligible ranks include Sepoy to Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO).
Must have completed at least 10 years of military service.
Should possess minimum educational qualification of Class 10.
Must register with DGR within six years of retirement.
Age should generally be below 55 years.
Medical category should be SHAPE-I or SHAPE-II.
Special relaxations may be available in cases involving battle casualties or war-disabled personnel.
Eligibility Criteria for SAFAL Outlet
SAFAL outlets have comparatively broader eligibility.
Eligible applicants include:
Ex-Servicemen
War Widows
Eligible Dependents aged between 18 and 25 years
General eligibility includes:
Age below 58 years for Ex-Servicemen and widows.
Medical category SHAPE-I, SHAPE-II or SHAPE-III.
Minimum educational qualification of Class 10.
Minimum 10 years of qualifying military service (where applicable).
Financial Benefits under the Scheme
One of the biggest attractions of the scheme is its assured income model.
Mother Dairy Milk Booth Income
Operators receive:
Guaranteed monthly commission of ₹15,000.
Unlimited earning potential based on higher sales.
Regular business throughout the year.
Stable customer base due to Mother Dairy’s trusted brand.
The initial agreement remains valid for two years and can generally be extended up to the operator attaining 60 years of age, subject to satisfactory performance.
SAFAL Outlet Income
The SAFAL model provides stronger financial support during the initial period.
For the first six months:
Guaranteed monthly income of ₹45,000.
After completion of six months:
Approximately 9% commission on fruits and vegetables.
The source material also mentions an 89% commission on certain other products. However, since this figure appears unusually high compared to normal retail margins, applicants should verify the exact commission structure from DGR or Mother Dairy before making financial projections.
Investment Required
Unlike starting an independent retail business, investment requirements are relatively low.
Selected candidates are generally required to deposit:
Refundable Security Deposit: ₹1,00,000
Working Capital Requirement: Around ₹500 (as indicated in the scheme details)
Since the retail outlet, branding and infrastructure are provided by Mother Dairy, the initial investment remains considerably lower than setting up a private retail store.
Facilities Provided to Selected Candidates
Successful applicants receive several operational advantages including:
Fully furnished retail outlet.
Ready-to-operate business setup.
Official Mother Dairy branding.
Product supply support.
Business guidance.
Training before commencement.
Marketing support.
Established customer network.
These benefits significantly reduce the business risks normally associated with starting a new enterprise.
Selection Process
The selection procedure is transparent and primarily based on seniority.
The process generally includes:
Registration with DGR.
Verification of service documents.
Eligibility assessment.
DGR sponsorship.
Interview conducted by Mother Dairy.
Final selection.
Training.
Allotment of operational outlet.
Candidates who are not selected for a Mother Dairy Milk Booth after multiple attempts may be considered for SAFAL outlets, subject to eligibility and vacancy.
Registration Process
Interested candidates can apply through both online and offline modes.
Offline Registration
Visit the designated DGR office.
Submit:
Service Book
Discharge Book
PPO
Identity Card
Educational documents
Medical category details
After document verification, DGR records the applicant’s registration and processes sponsorship for Mother Dairy.
Online Registration
Applicants can also register through the official DGR registration mechanism whenever online applications are invited. Candidates should keep scanned copies of all required documents ready before applying.
Documents Required
Applicants generally need:
Discharge Book
Pension Payment Order (PPO)
Ex-Serviceman Identity Card
War Widow Identity Card (if applicable)
Dependent Certificate (for eligible dependents)
Aadhaar Card
PAN Card
Educational Certificate
Declaration regarding non-availment of dual benefits
Additional documents may be sought depending upon individual circumstances.
Training After Selection
Before taking charge of the outlet, selected candidates undergo approximately two weeks of training conducted by Mother Dairy.
The training familiarises candidates with:
Daily operations
Customer service
Product handling
Inventory management
Sales procedures
Business administration
Billing practices
Store management
Although the detailed syllabus has not been officially published, the training is intended to ensure smooth functioning of the outlet from the very first day.
Can Operators Hire Helpers?
Yes.
Operators are permitted to engage helpers for day-to-day functioning of the booth or outlet according to operational requirements. However, the overall responsibility for management remains with the allotted operator.
Business Prospects
The Mother Dairy and SAFAL business model offers several long-term advantages.
Continuous demand for milk, dairy products, fruits and vegetables ensures regular customer footfall throughout the year.
Unlike seasonal businesses, the demand remains relatively stable, providing predictable income.
Since Mother Dairy is an established and trusted brand, operators benefit from existing consumer confidence without spending heavily on advertising or marketing.
Many veterans have successfully operated these outlets for years and report steady income along with financial security for their families.
Why the Scheme is Popular Among Veterans
Several features make this one of the most preferred DGR rehabilitation schemes.
Government-backed rehabilitation initiative.
Recognised national brand.
Ready business infrastructure.
Guaranteed minimum income.
Low investment requirement.
Professional training.
Business support from Mother Dairy.
Transparent selection process.
Long-term earning potential.
Opportunity for war widows and eligible dependents.
Important Points Applicants Should Remember
Applicants should ensure they meet all eligibility conditions before applying.
Registration with DGR is mandatory.
The final allotment depends upon vacancy, seniority and successful completion of the interview process.
Applicants should verify the latest operational guidelines and commission structure from DGR before investing any money.
Conclusion
The DGR Mother Dairy & SAFAL Booth Scheme represents one of the most successful post-retirement rehabilitation initiatives for India’s ex-servicemen. By combining the institutional support of the Directorate General of Resettlement with the trusted brand value of Mother Dairy, the scheme provides veterans, war widows and eligible dependents with a sustainable business opportunity and a dignified second career.
With ready-to-operate outlets, structured training, relatively low investment requirements and assured income during the initial stages, the programme offers a practical pathway towards financial independence. Eligible veterans looking for a stable self-employment opportunity should consider registering with DGR and exploring the scheme whenever applications are invited.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can apply for the DGR Mother Dairy Scheme?
Ex-servicemen from the Army, Navy and Air Force, war widows and eligible dependents, subject to the prescribed eligibility criteria.
What is the minimum service requirement?
Generally, applicants should have completed at least 10 years of military service, although certain relaxations may apply in special cases.
What is the guaranteed monthly income?
Mother Dairy Milk Booth operators receive a guaranteed commission of ₹15,000 per month, while SAFAL outlet operators receive a guaranteed ₹45,000 per month for the first six months.
Is any security deposit required?
Yes. Selected candidates are generally required to deposit a refundable security amount of ₹1 lakh.
Is training provided before starting the business?
Yes. Mother Dairy provides approximately two weeks of training before handing over the outlet.
Can war widows apply under the scheme?
Yes. War widows are eligible for SAFAL outlets subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions.
Is previous business experience necessary?
No. Business experience is not mandatory, as selected candidates receive operational training before taking charge of the outlet.
Can earnings exceed the guaranteed income?
Yes. The guaranteed income is only a minimum assurance. Actual earnings can increase depending on sales performance and customer footfall.