IMPORTANT GUIDE FOR ALL EX-SERVICEMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES

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IMPORTANT GUIDE FOR ALL EX-SERVICEMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES

Please keep a copy of this guide safely with your pension documents.

None of us likes to think about our final day. However, it is a reality that every family must be prepared for. After an Ex-Serviceman passes away, family members may not know whom to approach regarding military pension, welfare benefits and other service-related matters.

Therefore, every Ex-Serviceman is strongly advised to explain these matters to his wife and family members in advance.

DOCUMENTS TO KEEP READY

Keep the following documents together in one file:

- Copy of PPO

- Ex-Serviceman (ESM) Identity Card

- ECHS Card

- CSD Card

- Aadhaar Card

- PAN Card

- Discharge Book

- Bank Passbook

- Insurance Policy documents

- Important service records and other relevant documents

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AFTER THE DEATH OF THE ESM HUSBAND

FIRST FEW DAYS

Step 1 – Medical Certificate

Obtain a Medical Certificate stating the cause of death from the hospital/doctor.

In the case of an unnatural death, such as an accident, obtain copies of:

- FIR

- Post-Mortem Report

- Police Report

- Other relevant documents

Step 2 – Funeral Arrangements

Decide the place, date and time of the funeral and inform relatives and close family members.

Step 3 – Inform the Armed Forces

Inform the nearest military/service establishment about the death.

For ceremonial assistance or military honours, contact the appropriate local service authority and confirm the current procedure.

- Army: Contact the appropriate Army establishment

- Navy: Contact the nearest Naval establishment

- Air Force: Contact the nearest Air Force station

Always verify the current telephone numbers before using them.

Step 4 – Cremation and Death Certificate

After the funeral/cremation, obtain the Cremation Certificate, where applicable.

Apply for the official Death Certificate through the competent local authority.

Step 5 – Keep Multiple Copies

Obtain several certified copies of the Death Certificate and keep them safely.

These copies may be required for pension, bank, insurance, ECHS, CSD, investments and other official purposes.

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PENSION-RELATED PROCEDURES

Step 6 – Inform SPARSH

If the pension is under SPARSH, report the death through the appropriate SPARSH procedure and upload/submit the Death Certificate as required.

Step 7 – Start Family Pension

If the wife's name and family pension entitlement are already recorded in the PPO, follow the applicable SPARSH procedure to initiate Family Pension.

Step 8 – If Pension Is Not Under SPARSH

If the pension has not been migrated to SPARSH, approach the pension-paying bank/concerned authority.

Submit the Death Certificate and complete the procedure for stopping the deceased person's Service Pension.

Step 9 – Family Pension Through Bank/Authority

If Family Pension has to be processed through the bank/concerned authority, submit the required documents.

These may include:

- Death Certificate

- PPO

- Aadhaar

- PAN

- Passport-size photographs

- Bank Passbook

- Other documents requested by the authority

Step 10 – Nominee Details

After Family Pension starts, ensure that the nominee and other bank/pension records are properly updated.

Step 11 – If Wife's Name Is Not in the PPO

If the wife's name or Family Pension entitlement is not recorded in the PPO, approach the Zila Sainik Board (ZSB) and/or the concerned Record Office for guidance and submission of the Family Pension claim.

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IDENTITY CARDS AND SERVICE RECORDS

Steps 12–14 – Widow/Family Identity Card

Approach the Zila Sainik Board (ZSB) regarding the applicable widow/family identity card.

Ask the ZSB how and where the deceased ESM Identity Card should be surrendered.

Step 15 – Inform the Record Office

Ensure that the death information is forwarded to and updated by the concerned Record Office through the appropriate channel.

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WELFARE GRANTS AND INSURANCE

Step 16 – Funeral Grant

Check with the ZSB/concerned Service authority whether any funeral grant or welfare assistance is applicable.

Important: Grant amounts and eligibility can change. Confirm the current amount before submitting the claim.

Step 17 – Service Insurance Benefits

Apply for applicable insurance/welfare benefits such as:

- AGI

- NGI

- AFGIS

- Other applicable service-related insurance benefits

Applications should be made through the appropriate Record Office/ZSB or concerned authority.

Step 18 – Air Force Family Assistance

For eligible Air Force families, check the current rules and eligibility for the IAFBA Family Assistance Scheme and apply through the appropriate authority.

Steps 19–21 – Children's Education Assistance

Check the current education/welfare schemes available for children through:

- DIAV

- KSB

- Concerned Service Welfare Authority

- Official Government/Service websites

Apply according to the current eligibility rules.

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ECHS AND CSD

Step 22 – ECHS Card

Inform ECHS about the death and follow the current procedure for blocking/closing the deceased ESM's ECHS card.

Submit/upload the Death Certificate as required.

The surviving spouse and eligible family members should ensure that their own ECHS entitlement continues correctly.

Step 23 – CSD Card

Approach the nearest CSD facility and enquire about the procedure for obtaining the applicable CSD card/entitlement for the widow or eligible family member.

Return the old card if the authorities require it.

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BANKING AND OTHER CIVIL MATTERS

Steps 24–25 – Bank Accounts and Fixed Deposits

Check all bank accounts, Fixed Deposits (FDs), lockers and other financial accounts held by the deceased.

Depending on whether the account is:

- Single account

- Joint account

- Nominee account

- Survivor account

complete the bank's current death-claim/settlement procedure.

Do not close or transfer an account without first checking the applicable nominee/legal-heir procedure.

Steps 26–27 – Income Tax and PAN

Inform the appropriate authorities about the death wherever required.

For PAN-related matters, follow the current Income Tax Department rules. Do not surrender or deactivate PAN based on an old fixed time period without first confirming the current official procedure.

Step 28 – Aadhaar

Follow the current UIDAI procedure for deceased persons.

Do not share Aadhaar details unnecessarily. Keep all identity documents securely.

Step 29 – Shares, Mutual Funds and Demat

Identify all:

- Shares

- Mutual Funds

- Demat Accounts

- Bonds

- Other investments

Transfer/claim them through the registered nominee or legal-heir procedure as applicable.

Step 30 – Vehicle and Driving Licence

Approach the RTO regarding:

- Transfer of vehicle ownership

- Cancellation/surrender of Driving Licence, where applicable

- Other required vehicle records

Follow the current RTO procedure.

Step 31 – Voter ID

Inform the appropriate Election Commission/Electoral Registration Officer and follow the current procedure for removal of the deceased person's name from the electoral roll.

Steps 32–36 – Other Important Matters

Check and settle:

- Outstanding loans

- Property records

- Electricity connections

- Water and other utility connections

- Insurance policies

- Investments

- Legal documents

- Property ownership records

- Other assets and liabilities

Transfer or settle them in accordance with the applicable nominee/legal-heir and government procedures.

If the deceased person possessed a firearm or other licensed item, do not dispose of it privately. Contact the police/licensing authority and follow the applicable legal procedure.

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VERY IMPORTANT FOR EVERY EX-SERVICEMAN

Please write a simple handwritten note for your wife/family explaining:

1. Where the pension file is kept

2. Where the PPO is kept

3. Your Service Number

4. PPO Number

5. SPARSH details

6. Bank details

7. Insurance details

8. Name and contact number of the nominee

9. Zila Sainik Board contact details

10. Record Office details

11. ECHS Polyclinic details

12. Important family contacts

Explain these details to your wife/family at least once every year.

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FAMILY EMERGENCY INFORMATION SHEET

Name of Ex-Serviceman: ______________________________

Service / Regiment / Corps: __________________________

Service Number: _____________________________________

PPO Number: _________________________________________

SPARSH ID/Reference: _________________________________

Wife's Name: _________________________________________

Zila Sainik Board: ___________________________________

ZSB Contact Number: _________________________________

Record Office: _______________________________________

Record Office Contact: _______________________________

ECHS Polyclinic: _____________________________________

Bank Name & Branch: _________________________________

Pension Account: _____________________________________

Nominee Name: _______________________________________

Insurance Details: ___________________________________

Important Documents Kept At: _________________________

Family Contact Person: _______________________________

Family Contact Number: _______________________________

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FINAL MESSAGE

Every Ex-Serviceman should prepare his family today, rather than leaving them to find out everything after his death.

Keep all important documents together, update the information regularly, and make sure your wife/family knows exactly where the documents are kept and whom to contact.

This guide is for family reference only. Pension, ECHS, CSD, welfare benefits, insurance and other procedures may change. Always confirm the latest rules with the concerned official authority before submitting an application.