- The central government has doubled the hike in financial assistance to ex-servicemen (100% hike), three KSB-administered grants with effect from November 1, 2025: Penury Grant, Education Grant, and Marriage/Remarriage Grant.
- New monthly/one-time amounts now stand at ₹8,000 (Penury, per beneficiary), ₹2,000 (Education, per head), and ₹1,00,000 (Marriage/Remarriage, per beneficiary).
- These three were previously ₹4,000, ₹1,000, and ₹50,000, respectively (per official DESW/KSB matrix as of Aug 2, 2024).
These grants are funded from the Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund (RMEWF) under the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) and implemented via Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB).
Exact Hike In Financial Assistance To Ex-servicemen
| Grant (KSB/RMEWF) | Before (PIB matrix, Aug 2, 2024) | After (effective Nov 1, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Penury Grant (Non-pensioner ESM/widows, 65+; lifetime) | ₹4,000 / month | ₹8,000 / month |
| Education Grant (up to two children, Class I–Graduation OR widow for PG) | ₹1,000 / month per head | ₹2,000 / month per head |
| Marriage / Widow Remarriage Grant (up to two daughters; remarriage per rules) | ₹50,000 (one-time) | ₹1,00,000 (one-time) |
What didn’t change (yet)
Other common KSB/AFFDF supports remain as per the latest official matrix available (until notified otherwise), for example: medical treatment grant (non-pensioners, up to ₹50,000), serious disease support (75–90% capped at ₹1.5 lakh), dialysis/cancer (₹75,000 per FY), orphan grant (₹3,000/month), disabled child grant (₹3,000/month), vocational training for widows (₹50,000), interest subsidy on home loans (max ₹1 lakh), etc. Always check the live DESW/KSB pages for any fresh circulars.
Separate track: ECHS (health scheme) monetary ceilings for NA/emergent/lifesaving drugs were earlier enhanced by 100% at polyclinics—this is a different policy stream from KSB grants but still relevant for veterans’ out-of-pocket costs.
Who benefits from the Nov 2025 hike?
- Aged, non-pensioner ESM & widows (65+) relying on Penury Grant.
- Dependents (up to two children) of ESM and widows pursuing PG, under the Education Grant.
- ESM families with daughters marrying / widows remarrying as per scheme rules, under the Marriage/Remarriage Grant.
Implementation remains under the KSB, DESW, and MoD, with funding from RMEWF/AFFDF.
State-level boosts (separate from KSB)
Some states have independent ex gratia and welfare hikes. Example: Chhattisgarh (September 2025) raised the martyr ex-gratia to ₹50 lakh and increased several linked supports; these are state schemes, in addition to central KSB grants. Check your Rajya/Zila Sainik Board for local benefits.
Eligibility (unchanged framework unless a fresh order states otherwise)
- Service status & documents: valid discharge, ESM ID.
- Rank bands & pension status: most RMEWF grants target PBOR/JCO & non-pensioners, with explicit rank/pension criteria.
- Age & category specifics: Penury (65+ non-pensioner), Education (up to two children/widow for PG), Marriage/Remarriage (limits & dates apply).
- No double-claiming: the same expense can’t be reimbursed twice under different schemes.
Refer to the DESW/KSB grant pages for the precise rule text and any updates.
Documents checklist
- Discharge book / Service particulars, ESM ID
- Govt ID + Address proof
- Bank passbook/cancelled cheque
- Income/Pension proof (if applicable)
- For Education: admission/bona fide letter, fee receipts, mark sheets
- For Marriage/Remarriage: marriage certificate and eligibility proofs per KSB norms
How to claim (step-by-step)
- Choose the scheme (Penury / Education / Marriage).
- Apply via ZSB/RSB or KSB online (where applicable): follow updated forms reflecting the new rates from Nov 1, 2025.
- Attach documents & submit; retain your acknowledgement.
- Track & respond to any clarification quickly (bank details, scans, signatures).
- Escalate via RSB/KSB helplines or CPGRAMS for any grievances if you are stuck.
Practical tips after the hike
- Re-apply if earlier rejected purely on financial adequacy: higher grant ceilings may now cover your need.
- Education fees due soon? Upload fee receipts early to avoid semester interruptions.
- Penury grant applicants: ensure age and non-pensioner status proofs are unambiguous.
- Marriage grant: check solemnisation date (post-order) and the two-beneficiary limit.
FAQs
Is the 100% hike automatic for everyone?
No. It applies to three specific grants (Penury, Education, Marriage/Remarriage) and to eligible beneficiaries, for applications effective Nov 1, 2025.
Do medical/serious disease caps also double?
Not in this announcement. Those limits remain as per the last published KSB matrix unless a new circular says otherwise.
Is this the same as the ECHS medicine limit hike?
Different track. ECHS ceiling enhancements are a health scheme decision; the Nov 2025 hike is a KSB grant decision.
What about state-announced ex gratia?
States may enhance separate benefits (e.g., ex gratia to martyred soldiers’ families). Those are in addition to KSB grants and vary by state.
