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The Indian Army has reiterated important instructions regarding the death of retired Army personnel, directing concerned military formations, units and Station Headquarters to ensure timely assistance to eligible veterans’ families.
The instructions were issued by the Ceremonial & Welfare Directorate (CW-1), Adjutant General’s Branch, through a letter dated 30 September 2026.
The policy provides for Army representatives to pay their respects at the funeral of an eligible veteran, offer condolences to the family and facilitate the prescribed funeral-related assistance.
Importantly, this is not a newly introduced military funeral scheme. The September 2026 letter reiterates instructions originally issued on 16 September 2020.
What Does the Indian Army’s 30 September 2026 Letter Say?
The letter, bearing reference B/42283/Misc/AG/CW-1, was circulated to the Army Commands and Headquarters Army Training Command (ARTRAC).
It directs concerned formations, units and Station Headquarters to take timely action upon receiving information about the death of an Indian Army veteran.
The letter also instructs Station Headquarters to facilitate the necessary assistance for the veteran’s last rites, as applicable, after receiving information from the Next of Kin (NOK), other veterans or other sources.
The principal objective is to ensure that the service of eligible retired Army personnel is acknowledged respectfully and that their families receive the prescribed support.
Who Is Eligible for the Army’s Funeral Tribute?
The policy covers retired Indian Army officers, Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Other Ranks (ORs), subject to specified conditions.
The procedure is primarily intended for eligible Army veterans who are not otherwise authorised a military funeral.
An Army tribute under this policy should not be confused with an automatic entitlement to a full ceremonial military funeral.
What should families do after an Army Veteran’s death?
The September 2020 instructions, reiterated in 2026, establish a reporting process.
The death of an eligible Army veteran should be communicated to the nearest Army formation or unit.
The information may be provided by a family member, another veteran, a civilian or serving military personnel.
The intimation should include the place of death and the time of the funeral, enabling the concerned Army authorities to take appropriate action.
After receiving the information, the Army unit or formation must forward it to the relevant Station Headquarters.
What Are the Responsibilities of Station Headquarters?
The policy assigns specific responsibilities to the concerned Station Headquarters.
The condolence DO letter is to be signed by the designated administrative authority as provided in the instructions.
These provisions recognise the veteran’s military service while providing structured support to the bereaved family.
What happens if army representatives cannot attend the funeral?
The policy also addresses situations where information about the veteran’s death reaches military authorities after the funeral.
If immediate attendance becomes impractical because of distance, timing or other practical difficulties, Army representatives are instructed to offer condolences on similar lines within 14 days of the veteran’s death.
Where possible, the visit should coincide with a customary remembrance ceremony for the deceased.
This provision is important for veterans’ families residing far from military stations.
Is Any Funeral Grant Available to the Family?
The instructions specifically mention handing over the entitled funeral grant under the Army Group Insurance Fund’s Army Death Linked Relief Scheme (ADLRS) to the Next of Kin.
However, the three-page document does not specify the grant amount, complete eligibility conditions or claim documentation.
Therefore, the reference to ADLRS should not be interpreted as confirmation that every deceased veteran’s family will automatically receive a particular amount.
The actual entitlement must be established under the applicable ADLRS rules.
Who Bears the Expenses of the Army Tribute?
The instructions allow the Army team to travel using available government vehicles, hired transport, civilian transport or railways.
Expenses relating to the wreath and the team’s travel are to be borne by the concerned Station Headquarters or formation.
The policy applies across India wherever Indian Army resources are available.
How Will the Army Maintain Contact With Veterans?
The 2020 instructions direct Station Headquarters to maintain details of veterans residing within their areas of responsibility.
They also provide for identifying a senior veteran representative at the tehsil or subdivision level who can communicate information about the death of another veteran to the concerned Station Headquarters.
This local coordination is intended to help military authorities receive information promptly and arrange the prescribed tribute.
What Is New in the September 2026 Instructions?
The distinction between the original policy and the latest communication is important.
The September 2026 communication reinforces the Army’s responsibility to implement the existing arrangements.
It does not announce a new funeral allowance, universal ceremonial military funeral entitlement or revised grant amount.
Important information for ex-servicemen and their families
Families of Army veterans should be aware that a procedure exists for informing the nearest Army authorities after the death of an eligible veteran.
Prompt communication is particularly important because the Army representatives need adequate information about the funeral location and timing.
Veteran associations may also play a useful role in helping families contact the nearest Army unit or Station Headquarters.
Families should not assume that Army representatives will automatically receive information about every veteran’s death.
Sources
Integrated HQ of MoD (Army), Adjutant General’s Branch, Ceremonial & Welfare Directorate (CW-1)
Letter dated: 30 September 2026
Reference: B/42283/Misc/AG/CW-1
Subject: Paying of Homage to an Indian Army Veteran on Occurrence of Death
2. Indian Army — Earlier Policy Instructions
Letter dated: 16 September 2020
Subject: Paying of Homage to a Veteran on Occurrence of Death
Both letters are reproduced in the three-page document supplied for this article.
3. Ministry of Defence
4. Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
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