Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme: Benefits, Eligibility & Documents Required

Launched on 15th August 1972, the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme is a flagship pension initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs. This scheme honors the sacrifices of freedom fighters by providing a pension to living freedom fighters and, in cases where they are no longer alive, to their families or designated dependents (including martyrs’ families). The scheme stands as a token of “Samman” (respect) for their contributions to India’s freedom struggle.

Duration

• Lifetime Benefit:
  • The pension is granted for the lifetime of the recipient except in the case of unmarried daughters.
• Unmarried Daughters:
  • The pension ceases immediately after marriage or once they become otherwise independent.
• Succession of Pension:
  • In the event of a pensioner’s death, heirs must apply afresh with appropriate proof; pension benefits are not automatically transferred.

Benefits

1. For Category of Freedom Fighters: Ex-Andaman Political/ Prisoners/ Spouses

• Basic Pension (w.e.f. 15.08.2016): ₹30,000/- per month
• Total Pension (including 3% Dearness Relief): ₹30,900/- per month

2. For Category of Freedom Fighters: Freedom Fighters Who Suffered Outside British India/Spouses

• Basic Pension (w.e.f. 15.08.2016): ₹28,000/- per month
• Total Pension (including 3% DR): ₹28,840/- per month

3. For Category of Freedom Fighters: Other Freedom Fighters/Spouses including INA

• Basic Pension (w.e.f. 15.08.2016): ₹26,000/- per month
• Total Pension (including 3% DR): ₹26,780/- per month

4. For Dependent Parents/Eligible Daughters (Maximum 3 daughters at any time)

• Basic Pension: 50% of the sum that would have been admissible to the freedom fighter (ranging approximately between ₹13,000/- and ₹15,000/- per month)
• Total Pension (including 3% DR): 50% of the corresponding amount (approximately ₹13,390/- to ₹15,450/- per month)

Eligibility Criteria

For a Freedom Fighter to be Granted Pension:

A freedom fighter is defined as:

1. Imprisonment Criterion:

   • A person who suffered a minimum imprisonment of six months in the mainland jails before Independence.
   • Exception for ex-INA personnel: Eligibility if imprisonment/detention occurred outside India.
   • For Women and SC/ST Freedom Fighters: The minimum period of actual imprisonment has been reduced to three months (effective from 01.08.1980).
   • Additional Considerations:
     • Detention under the orders of a competent authority is considered imprisonment.
     • Normal remission (up to one month) is counted as part of the actual imprisonment period.
     • Periods during a trial ending in conviction, as well as broken periods of imprisonment, are totaled to compute the qualifying period.

2. Other Categories of Eligibility:

   • Remaining Underground:
     • A person who remained underground for more than six months provided he was either a proclaimed offender, had an award on his head, or had a detention order issued but not served.
   • Internment/Externment:
     • A person interned in his home or externed from his district for six months or more.
   • Property or Job Loss:
     • A person whose property was confiscated or sold due to participation in the freedom struggle, or who lost government employment as a result of his involvement in the national movement.
   • Physical Incapacitation:
     • A person who became permanently incapacitated during firing or lathi charge.

Eligible Dependents:

If the freedom fighter is deceased, eligible dependents include:

• Widow/Widower (provided they have not remarried)
• Unmarried daughters
• Mother
• Father

Note: When multiple dependents are available, the sequence of eligibility is: widow/widower, unmarried daughters, mother, then father.

Application Process

Offline Process:

1. Obtain Application Form:
   • Request a free copy of the prescribed application form from either the concerned State Government/UT office or directly from the Freedom Fighters’ Division at the Ministry of Home Affairs, 1st Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi.
2. Complete Form:
   • Fill in all mandatory fields and attach self-attested copies of all required documents.
3. Submission:
   • Send the first copy of the completed form to the Chief Secretary of the relevant State Government/UT Administration.
   • Send the second copy as an advance copy to the Deputy Secretary (Freedom Fighters Division) at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi.

Documents Required

At the Time of Application:

• Proof of Imprisonment/Detention:
  • Certificate from the concerned jail authorities, District Magistrate, or State Government.
  • If official records are unavailable, co-prisoner certificates from a sitting MP/MLA/Ex-MP/Ex-MLA (Annexure-I) may be accepted.
• For Those Who Remained Underground:
  • Documentary evidence such as court or government orders, or certificates from veteran freedom fighters if official records are not available.
• For Internment/Externment:
  • Relevant orders or corroborative documentary evidence. Certificates from prominent freedom fighters may be required (Annexure-II).
• For Loss of Property/Job:
  • Official orders of confiscation/sale or dismissal/removal from service.

At the Time of Receiving Pension:

• Recent Photograph
• Two prominent identification marks
• Specimen signature or, for those unable to sign, left-hand thumb and finger impressions (attested by a competent authority)
• Date of birth

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What identification documents are needed at the time of receiving the pension?
  A photograph, two identification marks, specimen signature (or thumb/finger impressions), and date of birth details are required.
• Where should the second copy of the application form be sent?
  It should be sent as an advance copy to the Deputy Secretary (Freedom Fighters Division), Ministry of Home Affairs, Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi.
• How can interested applicants obtain the application form for the pension scheme?
  The application form can be obtained free of cost from the concerned State/UT office or from the Freedom Fighters’ Division at Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi.
• What movements are considered as part of the National Freedom Struggle for pension eligibility?
  The scheme covers various movements, including the merger of Princely States into the Indian Union post-15th August 1947, as well as other significant mutinies or uprisings recognized under the scheme.
• What are the conditions for a person interned in their home or externed from their district to be eligible?
  The internment/externment must have lasted for six months or more.
• How are broken periods of imprisonment accounted for?
  They are totaled to determine the overall qualifying period.
• How is the period of normal remission treated?
  A remission period of up to one month is counted as part of the actual imprisonment.
• How is “imprisonment” defined under the scheme?
  It includes detention under official orders, periods during trial, and any broken periods of imprisonment as long as they cumulatively meet the qualifying criteria.
• Who qualifies as eligible dependents if the freedom fighter is not alive?
  Eligible dependents include the widow/widower (if not remarried), unmarried daughters (up to three), mother, and father—in that order of precedence.

Sources & References

• Guidelines
• Application Form