Empowering India’s Bravehearts Beyond Service

The June 2025 issue of the DESW Veterans’ Newsletter offers a detailed glimpse into the latest initiatives, reforms, and stories of inspiration from across India, aimed at strengthening the welfare ecosystem for ex-servicemen (ESM), their families, and dependents. Here’s a structured overview of the key highlights:

Unbelievable Guest Room Charges at Shirdi Saigarh Update

🏛️ Pensions & Policy Developments

One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme continues as a central pillar ensuring fair and uniform pension for Armed Forces retirees.
Updates related to pension disbursement through CGDA ensure streamlined delivery of benefits.
Awareness is being spread on pension policy rules, and recent court decisions (such as the notional increment for retirees just before their due increment date) now aid thousands of government pensioners.

🩺 ECHS: Health Care Services for Veterans

● Cashless & Capless Healthcare under ECHS

The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) continues to ensure seamless medical access through polyclinics and empanelled hospitals.

● Mental Health Collaboration with Brahma Kumaris

Sessions and MoUs on wellness and mental resilience were held in Delhi, Jabalpur, and online with neurologists and spiritual experts for contractual staff.

● ECHS During Operation Sindoor

Despite intense military operations along the border, ECHS polyclinics in Jammu, Jalandhar, and remote areas like Rajouri and Sundarbani ensured uninterrupted medical aid to veterans and their families. Emergency preparedness with empanelled hospitals was applauded.

💼 Resettlement & Training Initiatives

● Job Fairs (FY 2025–26)

DGR is organizing 18 job fairs to assist ESM in securing employment post-retirement. Upcoming locations include Chennai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, and Delhi.

● DGR Security Agency Scheme

In May 2025, 46 new security agencies run by ESM officers were empanelled. Over 3,100 guards were placed in PSUs nationwide.

● Odisha Police Recruitment Drive

Through collaboration with DGR, around 1,600 ESM have joined the Odisha State Special Force (OSSF) with 400 more selected, addressing both security and ESM rehabilitation goals.

● MoU with Assam Skill University

Courses will be tailored for ESM, Veer Naris, and dependents with subsidized fees, hostel facilities, and employment opportunities through ESM instructors.

🌟 Stories of Inspiration

● Nk Yash Paul (Retd)

From 26/11 NSG commando to founder of Buland Commando Training Academy, he now trains 1,200+ youth annually for forces and police jobs in Udhampur.

● Nb Sub (MACP) Fazley Karim Syed (Retd)

Now a CSC Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) helping fellow veterans through digital services after receiving training and ID via DESW-CSC initiative.

💰 Welfare Schemes & Financial Assistance

● Marriage/Remarriage Grant

Rs. 50,000 per daughter or widow is provided for marriage/remarriage. Over ₹49–₹52 crores were disbursed annually in recent years to thousands of beneficiaries.

● Penury Grant Update

The age condition (65 years) for widows was waived if the ESM was already receiving benefits before demise.

● KSB-Affiliated Welfare Initiatives

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) implementation
MoU with Shree Cement Ltd for house construction aid
Use of social media for awareness
Welfare scheme expansion (e.g., vocational grant: ₹50,000, medical grant: ₹50,000, serious illness: ₹1.5 lakh)

👩‍⚖️ Creating Safe Workspaces (POSH Act Awareness)

An article emphasized the role of The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, urging institutions under DESW to create safe, respectful workspaces for women employees.

🛡️ KSB Outreach and Administrative Updates

14 Rajya Sainik Boards & 24 State Managing Committee Meetings held.
AFFDF Corpus grew to ₹360.02 Cr in 2024–25.
PMSS scholarships worth ₹55.5 Cr disbursed to 16,380 students in 2024–25.
Expansion of ZSBs in Gujarat, WB, Rajasthan, Haryana, and planning for Bihar & Tamil Nadu.

🗣️ Glimpses from the Ground

SAT Conference at Kolkata by Eastern Command saw participation from Adjutant General, NHRC, and Secretary DESW.
Secretary DESW’s visit to Lucknow & Raebareli focused on CSC integration, civil-military coordination, and youth entrepreneurship awareness among ESM.
District Outreach included grievance redressal meetings in Tamil Nadu and Punjab, and local initiatives like “Muthalvarin Kakkum Karangal” in Kanyakumari.

⚖️ Supreme Court Judgment: Notional Increment for Pension

A significant relief for employees retiring just before their due increment date. The court’s ruling ensures they receive an extra notional increment for pension calculation purposes, affecting thousands of pensioners. Arrears already paid will not be recovered.

📬 Conclusion

The June 2025 edition of the DESW Newsletter is a testimony to the Government’s evolving commitment toward empowering India’s veterans. With a robust focus on healthcare, employment, dignity, digitization, and grassroots outreach, the system is gradually transforming to ensure no soldier is left behind after service.

📌 For more details, visit: www.desw.gov.in or scan the QR code on the newsletter.