Introduction
The Canteen Stores Department (CSD) plays a crucial role in supporting serving and retired Armed Forces personnel, ex-servicemen, widows, and their dependents. CSD provides consumer goods, vehicles, and other essential items at concessional rates, ensuring welfare and financial relief for the defence community. Over time, the entitlement rules and procedures for purchasing high-value items—such as four-wheelers—have been revised to match evolving needs.
Effective 1st February 2024, the Government of India has issued revised entitlement rules for vehicle purchases through CSD, applicable across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defence Civilians.
CSD Services Overview
- Retail Services:
- Availability of daily-use items, groceries, liquor, and consumer goods at subsidized prices.
- Wide network of CSD depots and URCs (Unit Run Canteens) across India.
- AFD (Against Firm Demand) Items:
- High-value products such as cars, motorcycles, scooters, televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, and air-conditioners are supplied via the CSD AFD Portal (afd.csdindia.gov.in).
- This ensures transparency, standardized pricing, and online application facilities.
- Veteran & Family Welfare:
- CSD continues to extend services to retired personnel, widows, and family pensioners, reinforcing its welfare commitment.
- Financial relief through subsidized consumer goods significantly reduces household expenses.
Revised Car Purchase Policy (W.e.f. 01 February 2024)
As per Review Car Policy Letter No. 95350/Q/DDGCS/POLICY dated 30th Nov 2023, the entitlement for purchasing cars through CSD has been streamlined with rank-wise limits and new lifetime caps.
Eligibility & Limits
| Rank Category | Pay Level | Price Limit (Excluding Taxes) | Electric Vehicle Limit | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sepoy/Lance Naik/Naik/Havildar (Army) / AC–SGT (Air Force) / OS–PO (Navy) | 3A to 5 | ₹8 Lakh | ₹13 Lakh | Once in 8 years |
| Naib Subedar–Subedar Major (Army) / JWO–MWO (Air Force) / CPO–MCPO (Navy) | 6 to 9 | ₹10 Lakh | ₹15 Lakh | Once in 8 years |
| Commissioned Officers (Army/Air Force/Navy) | 10 to 18 | ₹20 Lakh | ₹25 Lakh | Once in 8 years |
| Defence Civilian Officers | 10 to 18 | ₹20 Lakh | ₹25 Lakh | Once in 8 years |
Additional Entitlement Rules
- Service Requirement: Minimum 5 years of service before first purchase.
- Gap Between Purchases: Minimum 8 years between two car purchases.
- Lifetime Limit:
- Four cars in a lifetime (as per revised rules).
- The first car can be purchased only after 5 years of service.
- Family Pensioners (Widows): Entitled as per the rank of the deceased service member.
Procedure for Purchase
- Registration on AFD Portal:
Eligible beneficiaries must log in to afd.csdindia.gov.in using their CSD card details. - Online Application:
Select the desired model, upload necessary service/pension documents, and generate demand. - Payment:
Payment is to be made directly to the CSD depot or approved dealer as per system instructions. - Delivery:
Vehicle delivery through the authorized dealer after confirmation from CSD depot.
Helpline & Support
For assistance or complaints regarding pricing and entitlement:
- Contact through official website of CSD
Conclusion
The revised CSD car policy effective from 1st February 2024 reflects the government’s intent to balance welfare with fiscal discipline. With updated entitlement limits, defined lifetime caps, and transparent online procedures, CSD ensures that both serving personnel and veterans can continue to benefit from affordable access to vehicles and other consumer goods.
Would you like me to also create a ready-to-publish article format (with subheadings, highlights, and callouts) for your website/blog, so that it looks more engaging for veterans and their families?
PREPARE FOR TOUGH COMPETITIVE EXAMS WITH EASY ENGLISH LEARNING e-BOOKS
Download the e-Book now in pdf format and get success – Click here
