Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY) – Eligibility, Benefits & Application Process

The Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY) was introduced as a token of gratitude to the freedom fighters for their contributions to free India. Let’s learn more about this pension scheme in this post.

The scheme was launched by the Indian government in 1972 to commemorate the role of freedom fighters in the Indian freedom struggle. The plan offers freedom fighters and their dependents pension assistance.

In 1980, the Indian government liberalized the scheme further. The scheme was again extended by the government up to FY 2025-26. In addition, the government also offered a Dearness Allowance (DA) (36% of monthly pension) since July 2022 as central freedom fighters pension dearness relief.

What is Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY)?

SSSY is a scheme of monthly pensions. However, what makes this pension plan special is the fact that the beneficiaries of the plan are people who fought for India’s freedom. The scheme provides the freedom fighters and wards of freedom fighters with financial and social security and helps them to lead a decent life.

Timeline of the SSSY scheme  

• Introduced in 1972 as a central pension scheme during India’s 25th independence
• Renamed in 1980 as Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme and extended coverage to all freedom fighters
• In 2017, the government declared to continue the plan beyond the 12th Five Year Plan and again renamed it as “Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY)”
• In 2021, the scheme was extended up to 2025-26
• In July 2022, a Dearness Allowance (DA) was added to the plan (32% to 36% of monthly pension)

Features of Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana

Here are some features of the Freedom Fighter pension scheme:

Pension Amount under Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana

Below are the updated pension categories offered to the freedom fighters and the dependents of freedom fighters:

*According to policy guidelines, the Central Samman Pension is not applicable for TDS

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Eligibility Criteria of Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana

Here’s a list of documents required to check the eligibility under SSSY:

Who are the Dependents Eligible for SSSY?

Below are the eligible dependents under the Freedom Fighters pension list:

• Widow/widower
• Unmarried daughters (up to 3)
• Mother
• Father

Facilities Offered to SSSY Pensioners

Here is a list of facilities offered to the pensioners of SSSY under the freedom fighter quota:

• Free railway passes for a lifetime for 3 people, including the freedom fighter, their spouse, and a companion
• The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) offers free medical facilities to the freedom fighters and their dependents in various government and PSU hospitals
• Free landline telephone connection without any installation charges and half rental paid
• 4% Reservation for allotment of Petrol Pumps/Gas Agencies
• Freedom Fighters’ Old Age home (fully furnished) in New Delhi for accommodation and food

How to Apply for SSSY?

Below is the process to apply for the SSSY:

• Go to the official website of the Ministry of Home Affairs and look for the Freedom Fighters section
• Get two forms of ‘Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana’ and fill it out along with all the relevant details
• One copy of the form should be sent to the Chief Secretary of your State Government/UT
• The second copy should be sent to the below address:

Deputy Secretary, Freedom Fighters Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, 1st Floor, NDCC-II Building, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi

• The application is scrutinized by the State Advisory Committee of the State Government/UT
• Once it is verified, the state government sends the union government an Entitlement to Pension Report for eligibility scrutiny
• As the application is verified and approved, the Home Ministry issues a formal sanction order

How SSSY is offered to freedom fighters?

Let us take a look at how the pension amount is issued to the concerned people by the government:

• The Ministry of Home Affairs sends an approval order along with the applicant’s required documents and their bank details
• A Pension Payment Order (PPO) is issued for the pensioner by the Pay and Accounts Division
• The pensioner with the PPO approaches the particular government bank to draw the pension amount

Benefits of Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY)

Here are some benefits of the SSSY to the Indian freedom fighters:

• It allows the freedom fighters and their dependents a regular monthly income
• It allows some financial support to the dependents of the freedom fighters
• The scheme enables pensioners to live self-sufficient lives with honor and improved living standards
• The SSSY honors the contribution of freedom fighters for the sacrifices they made during the Indian struggle for freedom

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To Conclude 

The Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY) was initiated by the government as a tribute to the people who fought for India’s freedom. It commemorates the glory of our freedom fighters and their sacrifices.

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