Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme
The Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme provides lifetime monthly pensions to India's freedom fighters, or—if they are no longer alive—to their widow/widower, unmarried daughters, or parents. Monthly amounts range from ₹26,780 to ₹30,900 depending on the category of service, with dependent family members receiving 50% of the fighter's rate. Apply offline by sending prescribed forms to your State Government Chief Secretary and the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.
About This Scheme
The Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme provides lifetime monthly pensions to India's freedom fighters, or—if they are no longer alive—to their widow/widower, unmarried daughters, or parents. Monthly amounts range from ₹26,780 to ₹30,900 depending on the category of service, with dependent family members receiving 50% of the fighter's rate. Apply offline by sending prescribed forms to your State Government Chief Secretary and the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.
Full official description
Launched on 15th August 1972, "Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme" is a Pension Scheme by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The scheme provides the grant of pension to living freedom fighters and their families; if they are no more alive, and to the families or martyrs. The benefits of the pension scheme are extended to all freedom fighters as a token of SAMMAN to them.
Duration
- Except in the case of unmarried daughters, the pension is for the lifetime of the recipient. In the case of unmarried daughters, pension ceases immediately after they are married or become otherwise independent.
- In the case of death of a pensioner his/her heirs though otherwise eligible for pension will not automatically succeed to such a pension. They shall have to apply afresh with proof of the pensioner and their applications will be considered in terms of the Pension Scheme.
Benefits
- ₹30,900/month for ex-Andaman Political Prisoners or their spouses (₹30,000 basic + 3% DA)
- ₹28,840/month for freedom fighters who suffered outside British India or their spouses
- ₹26,780/month for other freedom fighters including INA personnel or their spouses
- ₹13,000–₹15,450/month for eligible dependent parents or unmarried daughters (50% of fighter's rate)
- Pension is for life (unmarried daughters lose entitlement upon marriage)
- SevaNidhi amount is exempt from Income Tax
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Freedom fighters who served minimum 6 months imprisonment in mainland jails before Independence (3 months for women and SC/ST freedom fighters)
- Ex-INA personnel imprisoned or detained outside India
- Those who remained underground for more than 6 months as proclaimed offenders or subject to an arrest warrant
- Those interned at home or externed from their district for 6 months or more
- Those whose property was confiscated or sold due to participation in the freedom struggle
- Those permanently incapacitated during firing or lathi charge
- Eligible dependents (only one at a time, in this order): widow/widower → unmarried daughters → mother → father (applies only if the freedom fighter is deceased)
How to Apply
Step 1: The interested applicant should request a free copy of the prescribed application form from either of two officers, i.e., the State Government/UT concerned or Freedom Fighters’ Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, 1st Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi. Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest if required). Step 3: The first copy should be sent to the Chief Secretary of the State Government/Union Territory Administration concerned. Step 4: The second copy should be sent to the Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, Freedom Fighters Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, First Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi – 3 as an advance copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What identification documents are needed at the time of receiving the pension?
Identification documents include a photograph, two prominent identification marks, specimen signature or thumb impressions duly attested, and date of birth.
Where should the second copy of the application form be sent as an advance copy?
The second copy should be sent to the Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, Freedom Fighters Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi - 3 as an advance copy.
Where should the second copy of the application form be sent?
The second copy should be sent to the Chief Secretary of the State Government/Union Territory Administration concerned.
How can interested applicants obtain the application form for the pension scheme?
Applicants can request a free copy of the prescribed application form from either the State Government/UT concerned or the Freedom Fighters' Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.
Are the movements for the merger of Princely States within the Indian Union after 15th August 1947 included in the National Freedom Movement?
Yes, these movements are considered part of the National Freedom Movement for the purpose of the pension scheme.
What movements/mutinies are considered as part of the National Freedom Struggle for pension eligibility?
Movements/mutinies directed against the British, French (in the case of Pondicherry), and Portuguese (in the case of Goa) with the goal of India's freedom are considered part of the National Freedom Struggle.
What is the definition of a martyr under this scheme?
A martyr is someone who died or was killed in action, detention, or received capital punishment while participating in a National Movement for the emancipation of India.
Hat are the conditions for a person who was interned in their home or externed from their district to be eligible for a pension?
The person should have been interned or externed for six months or more.
What are the criteria for a person who remained underground to be eligible for a pension?
A person who remained underground for more than six months should have been a proclaimed offender, one with an arrest/head award, or one for whom a detention order was issued but not served.
Who qualifies as eligible dependents under the scheme if the freedom fighter is not alive?
Eligible dependents include mother, father, widower/widow if not remarried, and unmarried daughters. The sequence of eligibility is determined as widow/widower, unmarried daughters, mother, and father.
How are broken periods of imprisonment accounted for in determining the qualifying period for pension eligibility?
Broken periods of imprisonment are totaled up to compute the qualifying period.
How is the period of undertrial counted in calculating the qualifying period for pension eligibility?
In the case of a trial ending in conviction, the undertrial period is counted towards the actual imprisonment suffered.
What is the significance of the period of normal remission in imprisonment calculations?
Up to one month of normal remission is treated as part of actual imprisonment.
How is "imprisonment" defined under the scheme?
Detention under the orders of the competent authority is considered as imprisonment.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- > **AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION**
- The applicant should furnish the documents indicated below whichever is applicable:
- Certificate from the concerned jail authorities, District Magistrates or the State Government in case of non-availability of such certificates co-prisoner certificates from a sitting MP or MLA or Ex-MP or ex-MLA specifying the jail period (Annexure-I in the application form.)
- (i) Documentary evidence by way of Court’s/Government orders proclaiming the applicant as an offender, announcing an award on his head, or for his arrest or ordering his detention.
- (ii) Certificates from veteran freedom fighters who had themselves undergone imprisonment for five years or more if the official records are not forthcoming due to their non-availability.
- (i) Order of internment or externment or any other corroboratory documentary evidence.
- (ii) Certificates from prominent freedom fighters who had themselves undergone imprisonment for five years or more if the official records are not available. (Annexure-II in the application.)
- Orders of confiscation and sale of property, Orders of dismissal or removal from service.
- > **AT THE TIME OF RECEIVING PENSION**
- The payment of the pension will be made on the production of the following identification documents to the Treasury Officer/Sub-Treasury Officer:
- Photograph.
- Two prominent identification marks.
- Specimen signature or left-hand thumb and finger impressions duly attested by a competent authority, in the case of freedom fighters who are not literate enough to sign their names.
- Date of birth.