Dependent Pension for Ex-Servicemen: Major Simplification in Documentation
A significant step has been taken to simplify and streamline Family Pension and Dependent Pension claims of Ex-Servicemen and their eligible dependants.
According to the document issued by MP-5(B) / Officers Record Office (ORO), Adjutant General’s Branch, IHQ of MoD (Army) in August 2026, the revised list of documents has been prepared with the objective of reducing unnecessary documentation and facilitating faster processing of pension claims.
The revised document requirements are stated to be applicable to SPARSH as well as non-SPARSH cases with immediate effect.
The communication also directs concerned authorities to give wide publicity to the revised requirements so that veteran officers, widows and dependants are aware of the simplified procedure.
Why Has the Dependent Pension Procedure Been Simplified?
The document explains that many documents and formats being used for pension claims originated in the pre-SPARSH era.
With pension processing now moving towards a fully digital, centralised and paperless platform, several legacy documents and formats have become redundant or are no longer aligned with current data-validation requirements.
Therefore, coordination meetings involving PCDA (Officers) Pune, PCDA (Pension) Prayagraj and the Office of the CGDA resulted in a revised set of documents for processing Family Pension and Dependent Pension claims.
Key objective of the revised procedure
The revised system aims to:
- Simplify pension procedures
- Enable digital verification
- Reduce inconvenience to the Next of Kin
- Expedite settlement of pension claims
- Remove redundant documentation
- Bring the documentation in line with SPARSH requirements
Documents Required for Endorsement of Second Wife’s Name
For endorsement of the name of a second wife, the revised SOP specifies the following documents:
- Marriage Certificate in case of remarriage, or an affidavit from a First-Class Magistrate where applicable.
- Part-II Order issued by Records.
- In case of remarriage after the death/divorce of the first spouse:
- Death Certificate, or
- Divorce Order/Decree, as applicable.
- Self-attested PAN and Aadhaar Card
- Two passport-size photographs
- Email ID and Mobile Number
These documents form part of the revised checklist for endorsement of the second wife’s name.
Dependent Pension for Disabled Child: Documents Required
The revised SOP provides a specific list for Dependent Pension for a disabled child.
The important documents include:
1. Birth Certificate / Legal Adoption Documents
A Birth Certificate or legal adoption letter along with Part-II Order, where the necessary Part-II entry has not already been made, is required.
2. Disability Certificate
A Disability Certificate issued by the competent medical authority under the RPwD Act, 2016 is required.
Importantly, the document specifically states that the UDID Card is not a replacement for the Disability Certificate.
3. Medical Certificate
A medical certificate in Form AFMSF-HD (1) is required in terms of the relevant Ministry of Defence instructions.
The SOP also attaches a reference to the 2024 DGAFMS communication concerning the issue of disability certificates for dependent children of Ex-Servicemen.
4. Certificate Regarding Inability to Earn Livelihood
A certificate from the Appointing Authority stating that the disability is of such a nature that the claimant is unable to earn a livelihood is also required.
5. Legal Guardian Certificate
For a mentally disabled child, a Legal Guardian Certificate from the Court of Law is specified as a mandatory requirement.
The SOP includes a prescribed format for the appointment of a legal guardian.
6. Income Documents
The following are required:
- Income Certificate from the Revenue Department
- Form 26AS for a minimum of two years
7. Bank Details
Bank account details along with a cancelled cheque are required.
8. Identity Documents
PAN and Aadhaar Cards of:
- The disabled child
- The legal guardian
are required.
9. Photographs
Two passport-size photographs of both:
- Disabled child
- Legal guardian
are required.
10. Contact Details
Email ID and mobile number of both the disabled child and legal guardian are specified.
Important Clarification About Disability Certificate
One of the most important points for families of disabled dependent children is that the UDID Card should not be treated as a substitute for the disability certificate.
The revised checklist specifically requires a Disability Certificate issued by the competent medical authority under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and separately states that the UDID Card is not a replacement for the disability certificate.
The attached reference from DGAFMS also explains arrangements concerning disability certification for dependent children of Ex-Servicemen beyond the age of 25 years.
Disability Certificate for Dependent Children Above 25 Years
The accompanying Ministry of Defence communication dated 2 May 2024 addresses medical attendance and disability certification for dependent children of Ex-Servicemen at Service Hospitals.
It clarifies the procedure for disabled children beyond 25 years and refers to the issuance of AFMSF-HD-(1) for pensionary purposes.
For an ECHS beneficiary, the communication states that the ECHS Card may be considered as evidence in relation to dependency and earning capacity, subject to the conditions specified in the communication.
For individuals who are not ECHS beneficiaries, additional documents regarding marital status, dependency and income may be required for assessment by the Medical Board.
Dependent Pension for Divorced, Unmarried and Widowed Daughter
The revised SOP also specifies documents for dependent pension claims relating to a:
- Divorced daughter
- Unmarried daughter
- Widowed daughter
Divorce Case
The document states that the divorce application should have been registered in the competent court during the lifetime of the pensioner or family pensioner.
For a divorced daughter, the divorce decree and order, in original or a certified copy issued by the Registrar of the Court, is required.
Widowed Daughter
For a widowed daughter, the death certificate of the husband is required.
Unmarried Daughter
For an unmarried daughter, a notarised affidavit in the prescribed format is required.
The SOP provides a separate format for the Affidavit for Unmarried Status.
Income Certificate Requirements
Income documentation is another important component of dependent pension claims.
The revised SOP provides that an Income Certificate from the Revenue Department of the State/UT Government may be submitted where the income is from sources other than employment.
Where an individual is self-employed or receives income from a source other than employment, an income certificate furnished by the beneficiary may also be accepted.
The SOP additionally specifies Form 26AS for the last two years.
No Objection Certificate From Siblings
For certain dependent pension cases involving a divorced, unemployed, unmarried or widowed daughter, the revised checklist requires a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from siblings.
A prescribed format has been included as Annexure-V.
The NOC essentially records that the brother/sister has no objection to the eligible dependant being recorded in the Pension Payment Order (PPO) of the parents.
Legal Guardian Declaration for Disabled Child
A separate Appointment of Legal Guardian – Declaration has been prescribed as Annexure-III.
The format is to be prepared on non-judicial stamp paper.
It contains particulars of the deceased officer/pensioner and the disabled child and provides for appointment of a son/daughter as the legal guardian after the demise of the pensioner and spouse.
The prescribed format also provides for photographs of:
- Pensioner
- Handicapped child
- Appointed legal guardian
and contains a verification section.
Affidavit for Unmarried Status
For an unmarried dependent daughter, Annexure-IV provides a specific affidavit format.
The affidavit requires the claimant to declare, among other things, that:
- She is a permanent resident of the stated address.
- She is unmarried and has never been married.
- She has not entered into marriage under any personal law, customary law or otherwise.
- The information furnished is true and correct.
- The affidavit is being made for adding her name in the PPO and service records as an unmarried dependent daughter.
The format specifies that it should be prepared on non-judicial stamp paper and notarised.
NOC Format for Dependent Pension
Annexure-V contains the prescribed No Objection Certificate.
Under the format, a brother or sister can certify that they have no objection to the concerned divorced/unemployed sister or brother being recorded in the PPO of their mother or father.
This is particularly relevant in dependent pension cases involving daughters whose eligibility is based on their prescribed status and dependency.
Foreign Divorce Decree: Important Requirement
The revised SOP also deals with acceptance of divorce decrees from foreign countries.
It specifies two alternatives:
- Divorce decree apostilled by the concerned Indian Embassy, OR
- Divorce decree of the foreign country apostilled by the concerned Foreign Court.
Applicants dealing with a foreign divorce decree should therefore pay particular attention to the prescribed authentication requirement.
Where Should Pension Claims Be Sent?
The communication provides the following address for pension claims:
MP-5(B) / Officers Record Office (ORO)
Adjutant General’s Branch
IHQ of MoD (Army)
West Block-III, RK Puram
New Delhi – 110066
The document also provides contact details, including the landline and mobile/email contact mentioned in the communication.
Can Additional Documents Still Be Asked For?
Yes.
Although the revised SOP aims to simplify the documentation, the communication clearly retains the authority of the Service HQ to seek additional documents for verification of claims in line with the requirements of the paying authority.
Therefore, submission of the revised checklist does not necessarily mean that no additional document can ever be requested during verification.
Quick Checklist for Ex-Servicemen Families
| Type of Claim | Key Documents |
|---|---|
| Second Wife Endorsement | Marriage certificate/affidavit, Part-II Order, death/divorce document, PAN, Aadhaar, photos, contact details |
| Disabled Child | Birth/adoption document, disability certificate, medical certificate, income proof, legal guardian certificate where applicable, bank details |
| Divorced Daughter | Divorce decree/order, income documents, NOC from siblings and other prescribed documents |
| Widowed Daughter | Husband’s death certificate, income documents, NOC and other prescribed documents |
| Unmarried Daughter | Notarised unmarried-status affidavit, income documents, NOC and other prescribed documents |
| Foreign Divorce | Apostilled divorce decree as prescribed |
What Ex-Servicemen and Family Pensioners Should Do Now
Eligible families should not wait until the pension claim becomes urgent to collect their documents.
If a pensioner has a dependent child, divorced daughter, unmarried daughter, widowed daughter or other eligible dependant, it would be advisable to check whether the relevant records and supporting documents are available and updated.
Particular attention should be given to:
- PPO and service records
- Part-II Orders
- Aadhaar and PAN
- Disability Certificate
- Income Certificate
- Form 26AS
- Bank details
- Marriage/death/divorce documents
- Legal Guardian Certificate, wherever applicable
- NOC from siblings, wherever applicable
The revised SOP is intended to make the process more streamlined and digitally compatible.
Conclusion
The Simplification of Dependent Pension Claims for Ex-Servicemen is an important development for veterans, family pensioners and their dependants.
The revised documentation framework covers several sensitive and commonly encountered cases, including disabled children, divorced daughters, unmarried daughters, widowed daughters and endorsement of a second wife’s name.
The most important takeaway is that the revised list applies to both SPARSH and non-SPARSH cases, with immediate effect, while authorities retain the power to seek additional documents where required for verification.
Ex-Servicemen and their families should carefully preserve this revised checklist and use the applicable document list while preparing a Family Pension or Dependent Pension claim.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the document provided for review. Applicants should follow the latest instructions issued by the competent Record Office/Service Headquarters and the concerned pension-paying authority in their individual case.
Simplied Instructions on Dependent Pension : Download here