7th Pay Commission Recommendation Relating to Disability and War Injury Pension

The orders regulating grant of disability pension in the case of defence forces personnel are detailed in view of the circumstances in which they operate. Disability pension is granted in two broad categories-

(a) Non Battle cases and

(b) War Injury cases.

Armed forces personnel retired with disability attributable to or aggravated by such service and assessed at 20 percent or more are awarded disability pension. Those invalided out with any disability attributable to or aggravated by such service are also awarded disability pension.

The regime of disability element for non-battle cases has, over time, moved from fixed slab rates to one based on percentage of reckonable emoluments. This shift was recommended by the VI CPC.

Non Battle Cases: In Non Battle cases there are two categories–(i) Cases Attributable/ Aggravated to service and (ii) Cases Neither Attributable/ Nor Aggravatable to service. The manner in which these cases are being currently regulated is as under:

War Injury Cases: Currently in War Injury cases there are two distinct categories- (i) those invalided out and (ii) those retained in service. In case of those invalided out the pension paid is 50 percent of reckonable emoluments, subject to a minimum of ₹7,020. This is in addition to 100 percent of reckonable emoluments for those with 100 percent disability and on pro rata basis for those with lesser disability. For personnel suffering war injury but who are retained in service, the pension paid out is 50 percent of reckonable emoluments in addition to 60 percent of reckonable emoluments for those with 100 percent disability and on pro rata basis for those with lesser disability.

The principal demands made before the Seventh CPC in respect of disability pensions as applicable for defence forces personnel were:

i. In the case of disability pension, an upward revision from the existing rate of 30 percent to 50 percent of last pay drawn, in cases of 100 percent disability.

[Read:Recommendations of Seventh CPC in respect of disability pensions ]

ii. Enhancing the cover of Disability.

[Read:Recommendations of 7th CPC on Enhancing the Cover of Disability ]

iii. Additional old age pension should be applicable for disability/ war injury pension.

[Read:Additional old age Pension should be Applicable for Disability/War Injury Pension ]

iv. All cases of invalidment due to disability Neither Attributable Nor Aggravated (NANA) to service, be awarded Disability Pension.

[Read:Additional old age Pension should be Applicable for Disability/War Injury Pension ]

v. Enhancement in the rate of war injury pension where individual is retained in service.

[Read:7th Pay Commission : War Injury Pension where Individual is Retained in Service ]

vi. Ex-gratia lump sum compensation to invalided out defence personnel.

[Read:Ex-gratia Lump Sum Compensation to Invalided out Defence Personnel ]

vii. Ex-gratia award for 100 percent disability be made equal to the stipend being paid to Cadets.

[Read:7th CPC recommends an increase in ex-gratia disability award for cadets ]

viii. The need to empanel well established civil prosthetic centres so as to make facilities for good quality repairs and replacement of artificial limbs easily accessible.

[Read:7th CPC recommends Empanelment of Well-established Civil Prosthetic Centres ]

ix. Ex-gratia lump sum compensation.

[Read:7th Pay Commission on Ex-gratia Lump Sum Compensation]