Rajya Sabha Q&A : Disability Pension to Lower Ranks / Sepoy

As per extant orders, Armed Forces Personnel including Sepoy who is invalided out from service on account of a disability which is attributable to or aggravated by Military service is being granted disability pension consisting of service element and disability element. The rate of disability element for 100% disability shall be 30% of emoluments last drawn by the individual. For a lower percentage of disability, the disability element reduces proportionately.

Saabka Sainik Sangarsh Committee submitted various representations regarding the calculation of disability element on slab based system as had been recommended by 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC).

The 7th CPC recommended a return to the slab based system. The 7th CPC, however, in respect of Civilian Employees of Central Government had not made any recommendation. Civilian Employees of Central Government were getting disability pension under 6th CPC on the percentage-based system as such they will continue to get disability element on the percentage-based system. It created an anomalous situation. Therefore, the Service Headquarters requested to maintain the Status quo i.e. to be continued the calculation method of disability element on a percentage basis as per 6th CPC regime. The concerns of Services were examined in this Department and the matter was referred to Anomaly Committee on Pension through the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance conveyed the approval of the Cabinet regarding the recommendation of Anomaly Committee in the matter that parity with Civilian for grant of Disability Element which was granted to Defence Forces under 6th CPC regime, shall be maintained.  Accordingly, orders were issued on 04.09.2017 for continuing Disability Element on a percentage basis.

Saabka Sainik Sangarsh Committee was replied on the lines of the existing position.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Ramalingam S in Lok Sabha on February 11, 2022.