What Benefits Do Soldiers' Families Receive?

The Indian government and armed forces offer a wide range of benefits to the families of soldiers to ensure their welfare, security, and dignity. These benefits apply during active service, after retirement, and in unfortunate cases of martyrdom. The support provided helps maintain a decent standard of living for the soldier’s dependents.

Key Benefits Provided to Soldiers’ Families:

1. Pension and Family Pension:

After retirement, soldiers receive a monthly pension.

In case of death in service or post-retirement, their spouse or dependents receive a family pension.

Special Family Pension is granted to families of soldiers who die in service-related causes.

2. Medical Facilities:

Access to Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) for retired personnel and their families, including cashless treatment at empaneled hospitals.

Armed Forces Medical Facilities are available to serving soldiers' families.

3. Education Assistance:

Scholarships for children through schemes like:

• Kendriya Sainik Board Scholarships
• Army Welfare Education Society (AWES)

Reservation in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools, and Rashtriya Military Schools.

Support for higher education under PMSS (Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme).

4. Financial Compensation in Case of Martyrdom:

Ex-gratia compensation ranging from ₹25 lakh to ₹45 lakh depending on rank and nature of death.

State governments often provide additional compensation, land, or a government job to the martyr’s next of kin.

5. Canteen Services (CSD):

Families have access to Canteen Stores Department (CSD) facilities to purchase goods at subsidized rates.

Available to both serving and retired personnel.

6. Housing and Welfare Schemes:

Access to Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) projects.

Allotment of residential quarters during service and assistance in resettlement after retirement.

7. Employment Assistance:

Widows and dependents may get preference in government jobs under compassionate appointments.

Skill development programs offered for resettlement.

Example:

Naik Suraj Singh, serving in the Indian Army, tragically lost his life in a counter-insurgency operation in Jammu & Kashmir. His wife received an ex-gratia compensation from the central and state governments totaling ₹50 lakh. She also receives a monthly special family pension. Their two children receive scholarships under the PMSS scheme, and the family continues to access free medical care through ECHS. The local administration also helped her secure a job under the widow employment policy.