Welfare schemes — what exists, and where to actually ask

There is more welfare support for ex-servicemen and their families than most families ever claim — not because the schemes are secret, but because nobody tells you which office runs which scheme. This page maps that out. We name the schemes and the doors to knock on; the current grant amounts change by order, so for figures we point you to the official pages instead of printing numbers that go stale.

The main door: KSB and its boards

Most central welfare grants run through the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), working through Rajya Sainik Boards (state level) and Zila Sainik Boards (district level). Your Zila Sainik Board is the first door for almost everything — registration as an ex-serviceman or widow there is what unlocks the rest.

⚠ The rank ceiling most families miss Most of these grants (penury, education, daughter's marriage) are for ranks up to Havildar or equivalent; the disabled-child grant goes up to JCO and equivalent. Only the orphan grant is for all ranks. Check the rank rule before you build hopes on a grant.

• Penury grant — for non-pensioner ex-servicemen (up to Havildar) or their widows, aged 65 or above. Note: it is a monthly rate but paid once a year as a lump sum — do not expect a monthly credit.
• Education grant — for the children of ex-servicemen up to Havildar, from class 1 to graduation (two children), and a two-year post-graduate provision for widows.
• Daughter's marriage grant — for ex-servicemen up to Havildar and their widows; per daughter, up to two, and also for a widow's remarriage. Apply within 180 days of the marriage — this deadline is where most claims die.
• Orphan-child grant — all ranks: an orphan son below 21 or an unmarried orphan daughter, on the Zila Sainik Board's recommendation.
• 100% disabled-child grant — ex-servicemen up to JCO and equivalent, with a Military or Government hospital certificate.

Applications for these run on the KSB portal, with the Zila Sainik Board verifying the papers. KSB also runs several schemes this page does not detail — medical treatment of non-pensioner ESM, vocational training for widows, help with serious diseases, mobility equipment and a home-loan interest subsidy. Ask your Zila Sainik Board which of them is currently open.

Older one-time grants some families still ask about — the funeral grant and the house-repair grant — no longer appear in KSB's current scheme list (checked 3 August 2026). If someone tells you they are live, ask your Zila Sainik Board before counting on them.

Scholarships

• Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) — for professional-course students who are children or widows of ex-servicemen (and ex-Coast Guard), applied online each academic year. Three rules that decide most rejections: first-year admissions only (a second-year student cannot apply), at least 60% in the qualifying exam, and the window closing around 30 November. Two wards per ex-serviceman at most.
• State schemes — many states run their own scholarship and concession schemes through the Rajya Sainik Board — worth one visit to ask what your state adds on top.

Battle casualty and distress funds

• Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund — ex-gratia support for battle casualties and their families.
• Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund (RMEWF) — the fund behind the penury, education, marriage, orphan and disabled-child grants listed above, financed from the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. It used to be called the Raksha Mantri Discretionary Fund, and older papers still use that name.
• AGIF / AFGIS benevolent schemes — service-specific funds have their own benevolent grants; see the AGIF page for what AGIF covers.

⚠ The one habit that unlocks everything Register with your Zila Sainik Board — ex-serviceman or widow, with discharge book and PPO. Every grant above asks for that registration. Do it once, in good times, so the paperwork exists before a crisis comes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the first thing to do?

Register at your Zila Sainik Board — ex-serviceman or widow, with discharge book and PPO. Every grant on this page asks for that registration; do it in good times so it exists before a crisis.

I get no pension — is there still help?

Yes — that is exactly who the penury grant is for: non-pensioner ex-servicemen up to Havildar, or their widows, aged 65 or above, routed through the KSB boards. One thing to expect: the grant is a monthly rate but reaches you once a year, as a lump sum.

How much is the daughter's marriage grant?

The amounts are revised by order, so we do not print a figure that can go stale — ksb.gov.in carries the current one. What matters more: it applies per daughter (up to two), the rank ceiling is Havildar or equivalent, and the application must reach the portal within 180 days of the marriage, with ZSB verification.

When does the PM Scholarship open?

Each academic year, online, with the window usually closing around 30 November. Keep the student's documents and your ESM registration ready before it opens. Two rules catch most families out: only first-year admissions can apply, and the qualifying exam needs 60% or more.