15 April 2024 Armed Forces Tribunal >> Miscellaneous  

In a recent court order, the pension benefits for women Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) in the Indian Armed Forces have been clarified. This decision addresses concerns raised by the officers regarding their one-time pension and other retirement entitlements.

Key Takeaways for Women SSCOs:

• One-Time Pension Based on Deemed Service: The court ruled that women SSCOs will receive a one-time pensionary benefit as if they had completed the minimum qualifying service of 20 years. This means their pension will be calculated based on the salary they would have earned if they had served for the full term, including notional increments.
• Arrears and Revised Pension Payment: The government will pay arrears of pension from the date the officers are deemed to have completed 20 years of service. Additionally, the one-time pension amount will be revised to reflect this deemed service. Both the arrears and the revised pension amount must be paid by June 15, 2024.
• Commuted Pension and Leave Encashment: The court also clarified the calculation of the commuted value of the pension, which will be based on the commutation factor applicable on the deemed completion date (20 years). Any remaining arrears for the commuted pension will be paid by the deadline. Officers can also encash up to a maximum of 300 days of leave, with the difference between the already encashed amount and the limit being paid by June 15, 2024.
• ECHS Benefits and PPO Correction: The order confirms that the officers will be entitled to ECHS (Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) benefits as retired officers. Additionally, the Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) will be corrected to reflect the deemed completion of 20 years of service and will not restrict future pension revisions. The deadline for this correction is also June 15, 2024.

This court order brings much-needed clarity to the pension benefits for women SSCOs and ensures they receive the rightful entitlements for their service.