Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY)

What is Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY)?

The Union Government introduced the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme in 1972 to support freedom fighters and their families, initially limiting benefits to those in financial need. In 1980, the scheme was liberalised to cover all eligible freedom fighters as a mark of national honour and was later continued beyond the Twelfth Five-Year Plan as Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY). 

The scheme has now been extended up to FY 2025-26. Pension amounts vary by category and include Dearness Relief (DR), which is revised periodically to offset inflation. From January 1, 2024, DR stands at 48% of the basic pension, with total monthly pension payouts typically ranging between ₹20,000 and ₹45,000, depending on the category of the beneficiary.

Timeline of Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana Scheme (SSSY):

A quick overview of the timeline of the freedom fighter pension scheme is as follows:

1972: In the 25th Year of India's Independence, the Government of India introduced a central pension scheme only for needy freedom fighters and their dependents.

1980: Renamed it to “Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme”, extended the pension scheme for all freedom fighters

2017: Decided to continue the scheme even after the end of the Twelfth Five-Year Plan (12th FYP), renamed it as “Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY)”

2021: Extended the scheme up to 2025-26

2022: Increased the Dearness Allowance (DA) from 32% to 36% of monthly pension income from 1 July 2022. 

2024: The government further enhanced Dearness Relief to 48% of the basic pension, effective from 1 January 2024, leading to higher monthly pension payouts for freedom fighters and their dependents.

Features of SSSY

The Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana honours the contribution of the freedom fighters/ martyrs of the Indian Freedom Struggle. 

Let us have a look at the features of the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana in the table below:

Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Amount

The pension amounts under the SSSY are revised by the government periodically to factor in inflation and cost-of-living changes. With the Dearness Relief now at 48% (effective 01.01.2024), the updated monthly pension amounts for this pension plan are as follows:

Note: DR may be revised further by government orders. TDS is not applicable to this pension.

Eligibility Criteria of SSSY

Let us have a look at the categories of freedom fighters and documents required to check the eligibility to get the Central Samman Pension:

List of Dependents Eligible for Samman Pension

If the freedom fighter is not alive, the government grants a pension to their dependents in an order of preference. Only one dependent is applicable for the pension at a time.

The dependents who are eligible to get Central Samman Pension are listed in sequence of priority:

• Widow/widower

• Unmarried daughters (maximum 3 daughters)

• Mother

• Father

Note: On the demise of the freedom fighter, his dependents will not get the pension automatically. They will have to apply again to the scheme with a fresh application and proof of death of the pensioner.

Facilities Offered to Central Samman Pensioners

Here is a list of various facilities offered to the Central Samman Pensioners:

• Free Railway Pass for Lifetime: To freedom fighters/spouses along with one companion

• Free Medical Facilities under Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS): Free medical treatment to freedom fighters and their dependents in government-empanelled hospitals or hospitals run by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

• Telephone Connection: Subjected to feasibility, a landline telephone connection is provided without any installation charges, with payment of half of the rental amount.

• 4% Reservation for Allotment of Petrol Pumps/ Gas Agencies: Reservation is provided by the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies under the “Combined Category” for Physically Handicapped (PH), Outstanding Sportsperson (OSP), and Freedom Fighters (FF).

• General Pool Residential Accommodation in Delhi: It offers accommodation to the freedom fighters within the Discretionary Quota of 5%. The spouse can retain the accommodation up to 6 months after the demise of the freedom fighter.

• Freedom Fighters’ Old Age Home: The freedom fighters are also offered a fully furnished, old-age home in New Delhi. The Samman Pensioners can also avail of transit accommodation (stay plus meals) in these facilities.

• Free Air Travel Facility to ex-Andaman Freedom Fighters/ Spouses: The Samman Pensioners (along with a companion) can access a free air travel facility once a year, to visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

How to Apply for SSSY?

The process of applying for the Freedom Fighters Pension Scheme is as follows:

Step 1: Visit the Freedom Fighters Division at the Ministry of Home Affairs and attain the application form for “Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana”.

Step 2: Fill in 2 copies of the application form with all the relevant details.

Step 3: Send a copy of your filled application to the Chief Secretary of the concerned State Government/ Union Territory (UT).

Step 4: Send a second copy to the Deputy Secretary, Freedom Fighters Division, Ministry of Home Affairs (Government of India), 1st Floor, NDCC-II Building, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi.

Step 5: The State Government/ Union Territory administration with State Advisory Committee scrutinises the application.

Step 6: Once verified, the State/ UT Government sends Entitlement to Pension Report to the Central Government, which scrutinizes the claim for eligibility.

Step 7: Upon verification and approval, the Home Affairs Ministry issues formal sanction order to the Pay & Accounts Office.

How SSSY is Granted To Freedom Fighters?

Let us understand the way a grant of pension is issued to the freedom fighter by the Central Government:

Step 1: Ministry of Home Affairs sends an approval order along with the requisite documents of the applicant to its Pay & Accounts Office.

Step 2: The Pay and Accounts Division issues a Pension Payment Order (PPO) to the Samman Pensioner.

Step 3: The Samman Pensioner approaches the concerned Public Sector bank with their PPO and draws their pension amount.

Benefits of SSSY

The Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana offers the following benefits to Indian freedom fighters:

• Regular Monthly Income: The scheme provides regular monthly Central Samman Pension to the freedom fighters and their eligible dependents of family.

• Financial Support to the Dependents: It has the provision to provide the monthly income to the spouse, daughters, or parents of the freedom fighters.

• Self-Dependent Life: The SSSY scheme helps the Central Samman Pensioners to live an honourable, self-dependent life with improved standards of living.

• Honouring the Contribution of Freedom Fighters: Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana is a token of respect, honouring the sacrifices of freedom fighters during the Indian Freedom Struggle.

Final Words

The government is continuing the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY) as a tribute to our freedom fighters who made their contributions to the independence of India. The scheme is a token of respect to commemorate the glory of our freedom fighters and the great sacrifices made by them.

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