SPARSH pensioner lost pension at cyber cafe

Indian Military Veterans

SPARSH pensioner lost pension at cyber cafe

 The Ministry of Defense has begun transitioning the Defense Pensioner Pension Scheme from traditional banks/PDAs to direct payments of his PCDA through his SPARSH portal. 

SPARSH is a system that can be accessed from a smartphone and his PC/Laptop. It is designed to provide easy access to  pension profiles of defense pensioners, including family pensioners.

 It was found that the objectives of the scheme were partially achieved  due to the ignorance of the beneficiaries regarding the use of ITES. Only 20%  of Department of Defense retirees can log into their profiles with a user ID and password. They are completely dependent on  nearby cyber cafes to access the portal. We analyzed data on smartphone users published by telecommunications provider organizations.

Age and % of Smartphone User

55 years and above – 1.1%
45-54 years – 2.2%
35-44 years – 11%
25-34 years – 32.7%
18-24 years – 53%

Therefore, it is expected that the majority of  beneficiaries will not be able to respond to this relief extended by the Department of Defense. However,  pension payments will not be stopped at all. In recent days, several fraudulent activities have been detected due to unauthorized access to the SPARSH portal.

SPARSH Pension Credential Stolen and Cheated by Cyber Cafe

Incident 1: After obtaining a SPARSH user ID and password, a defense family pensioner visited a nearby cyber cafe and completed the PDV process over OTP.

 Result: The cyber cafe owner uses the SPARSH user ID and her PW to change her mobile phone number and bank account number, transfers the entire pension amount to her account, and transfers the entire pension amount to her SPARSH profile of the pensioner. can now be accessed. FP noticed that her pension had not been transferred for her 3 months and lodged her complaint and  the matter was finally brought to light. She lost her pension for three months. 

Incident 2: A veteran visited a cyber girlfriend cafe to update his SPARSH profile. An internet cafe owner  changed his family's pensioner and NOK details for his wife. 

Result: The issue came to light when an exiled veteran  and his wife applied for a family pension. The issue was later resolved after a lengthy legal battle. 

How do you protect your SPARSH pension?

 In response to  the  two incidents above, we have taken precautions and have determined that under no circumstances should you share your login information (user ID and password) with anyone.

 If you are using a smartphone, please install the SPARSH mobile app below and access it yourself to check your profile and download pension certificates, accommodation application forms, etc.

 If you know that the pensioner does not have the ability to handle a smartphone, contact his nearest SPARSH service center and access  the SPARSH portal.

If you know how to use a smartphone but haven't bought one yet, buy one for your own safety and learn how to use it  only among friends to keep your pension  safe.

 If you are unable to handle the Sparsh portal, we recommend that you contact your local SPARSH service center to  access  the Sparsh portal. 

Those who know how to use a smartphone but  have not yet bought one, should buy one for their own safety and learn how to use it  only among friends to ensure the safety of their pensions.