The Himachal Pradesh Sainik Welfare Department has reported ₹17.09 crore in financial assistance and grants for 2,263 beneficiaries during FY 2025-26, covering ex-servicemen, gallantry award winners, dependants of defence personnel and other eligible defence families.
The latest disclosure, reported on 27–28 September 2026, provides a detailed breakup of the assistance delivered during the previous financial year. It is important to clarify that this is not a newly launched ₹17.09 crore scheme. Much of the same FY 2025-26 welfare data had already been disclosed by the state government in March 2026; the September update presents the consolidated figures with some additional details.
₹6.13 crore provided under Old Age Pension Scheme
According to the September disclosure, 968 beneficiaries received ₹6.13 crore under the Old Age Pension Scheme.
The assistance forms part of the state’s broader welfare measures aimed at providing financial and social-security support to the defence community.
An earlier March 2026 report had placed this particular amount at ₹6.12 crore for the same 968 beneficiaries. The latest disclosure reports ₹6.13 crore, indicating a small revision in the consolidated figure rather than a completely new programme.
₹3 crore released to 1,084 gallantry award winners
The state reported that ₹3 crore was released to 1,084 gallantry award winners.
This component recognises personnel who have received gallantry awards for distinguished service and acts of courage.
₹7.62 crore for dependants of personnel killed or disabled in action
Another significant component of the welfare package concerns families of defence personnel.
The government reported ₹7.62 crore in assistance to 57 dependants of defence personnel who were killed or disabled in action.
For defence families, this is one of the most important figures in the disclosure because it directly relates to financial support for households affected by death or disability arising during operational service.
154 War-Jagir beneficiaries receive ₹20.83 lakh
The Sainik Welfare Department also reported ₹20.83 lakh for 154 War-Jagir beneficiaries during the financial year.
The same figure had also been disclosed in the state’s March welfare update, showing that the September announcement is largely a consolidated account of FY 2025-26 expenditure rather than a separate fresh disbursement.
₹6 lakh for Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centres
The September update contains another welfare component that was not as prominent in the earlier March reporting.
The state said ₹6 lakh was released to the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centres at Pune and Mohali.
These centres provide rehabilitation support to personnel with serious physical disabilities.
₹75,000 immediate assistance for Next of Kin
The government also stated that ₹75,000 is provided as immediate assistance to the Next of Kin of Armed Forces personnel who die during service.
This should not be confused with pension, ex-gratia or other service-related benefits. The September disclosure describes it specifically as an immediate assistance measure.
In addition, ₹6.74 lakh was allocated for maintenance of Sainik Welfare Buildings.
₹2.28 crore sanctioned for Army recruitment rallies
The welfare effort also extends beyond existing veterans and defence families.
During FY 2025-26, the state sanctioned ₹2.28 crore for Army Recruitment Rallies in:
- Kangra
- Hamirpur
- Mandi
- Shimla
The objective is to support recruitment activity and encourage youth seeking careers in the Armed Forces.
₹10.26 crore for Major Somnath Sharma Training Academy
A separate ₹10.26 crore was provided during FY 2025-26 for strengthening the Major Somnath Sharma Training Academy at Barchwar in Mandi district.
The facility provides training and guidance to young people preparing for recruitment into the Armed Forces.
This means the state’s defence-welfare expenditure is not limited to pensioners and veterans. It also includes infrastructure and preparation support for future Armed Forces aspirants.
Is ₹17.09 crore a new September 2026 scheme?
No. This distinction is important.
A March 2026 government-linked disclosure had already reported financial assistance of more than ₹17 crore to 2,263 beneficiaries, including the same major categories of old-age pensioners, gallantry award winners, dependants of personnel killed or disabled in action and War-Jagir beneficiaries.
The September 2026 disclosure should therefore be understood as an updated and consolidated FY 2025-26 welfare account, not as the launch of a new ₹17.09 crore scheme.
The latest figures add useful detail, including the ₹6 lakh support for Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centres, ₹75,000 immediate assistance provision for Next of Kin and ₹6.74 lakh for maintenance of Sainik Welfare Buildings.
What defence families should take from this update?
The latest figures show that Himachal Pradesh’s defence-welfare support during FY 2025-26 covered several different groups rather than a single benefit.
The reported assistance included support for:
Ex-servicemen and elderly pensioners
Gallantry award winners
Dependants of personnel killed or disabled in action
War-Jagir beneficiaries
Paraplegic rehabilitation
Families of serving personnel who die during service
Army recruitment activities
Training of Armed Forces aspirants
For readers, the most important clarification is that ₹17.09 crore is the consolidated welfare assistance reported for FY 2025-26—it is not a newly announced September 2026 cash benefit available to every ex-serviceman.
Sources
The Tribune — 28 September 2026
₹17 crore released for welfare of soldiers and families in Himachal
UNI — 27 September 2026
Himachal government extends ₹17.09 crore welfare assistance to 2,263 defence beneficiaries
The Tribune — 4 March 2026
Earlier FY 2025-26 disclosure of over ₹17 crore for veterans
Economic Times — March 2026
Himachal government disburses over ₹17 crore for ex-servicemen welfare
Director Public Relations, Shimla material reproduced by India News Calling — 27 September 2026
Read the state-government communication reproduction
Leave a Reply