Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana - Complete Eligibility and Pension Details for Freedom Fighters

Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana offers pensions to over 1.7 lakh freedom fighters and their families across India.
To be eligible, people must have faced imprisonment, done underground activities, been interned, lost property, been injured, or lost their jobs during the freedom struggle.
After the freedom fighter passes away, family pension benefits continue for spouses, unmarried daughters, and parents.

Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana is a special pension scheme for freedom fighters who helped India gain independence. This scheme also gives benefits to their families if they meet certain conditions. If you want to know more about eligibility, required documents, family pension, and pension distribution by state, this guide will help you understand everything. The pension scheme is run by the Ministry of Home Affairs and provides financial support to freedom fighters, their widows, and dependents.

Who Can Get Pension Under Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana

To get a pension under this scheme, a person must meet one or more of these conditions linked to their involvement in the freedom struggle:

Imprisonment: At least six months in jail before Independence in mainland prisons. For women and SC/ST freedom fighters, it’s three months. Former Indian National Army (INA) members who were imprisoned or detained outside India for six months or more also qualify.
Underground Activity: Staying underground for six months or more while being declared an offender, having a reward for arrest, or having a detention order issued but not served.
Internment/Externment: Being interned at home or sent out of a district for six months or more by official orders.
Loss of Property: Property taken, attached, and sold because of participation in the freedom struggle.
Permanent Injury: Getting a permanent injury from firing or lathi charge while taking part in the movement.
Loss of Government Job: Being removed or dismissed from government service, including local bodies, because of involvement in the freedom fight.
Caning, Flogging, or Whipping: Punishment of 10 strokes or more, proven by official records.

Also Read – NALSA Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025 Benefits and Eligibility for Armed Forces Families

Documents Needed to Apply for Freedom Fighter Pension

To claim the pension, applicants must provide verified documents along with a recommendation from the State Government. Important papers include:

For Imprisonment: Certificate from jail authority, District Magistrate, or State Government showing sentence period, admission and release dates, case facts, and reasons for release. If official records are missing, secondary evidence like certificates from co-prisoners verified by the State Government may be accepted.
For Underground Activity: Court or Government orders declaring absconder status or detention. If records aren’t available, Personal Knowledge Certificates from well-known freedom fighters verified by the State Government are considered.
For Internment/Externment: Official orders of internment or externment. If these are missing, certificates from prominent freedom fighters and a Non-availability of Records Certificate (NARC) are required.
Loss of Property: Orders confirming confiscation and sale of property. Those whose property was restored are not eligible.
Permanent Injury: Certificate from District Magistrate confirming disability and a medical certificate from the Civil Surgeon.
Loss of Government Job: Orders of dismissal or removal from service. People reinstated within two years do not qualify.
Caning/Flogging/Whipping: Copies of official punishment orders.

Family Pension and Benefits for Dependents

Family pension under this scheme is given after the death of a freedom fighter pensioner. Eligible dependents include:

Spouse
Up to three unmarried daughters
Either the mother or father

This helps provide ongoing support to immediate family members who depended on the freedom fighter.

How Pension Benefits Are Distributed to Freedom Fighters and Families

Recently, 171,689 freedom fighters and their families have been given pensions under this Central Scheme. Key data includes:

Year	Budget Allotted (Rs. in Crore)	Fund Disbursed (Rs. in Crore)
2020-21	760	660.14
2021-22	717	717
2022-23	650	599.29
2023-24	589	539.67
2024-25	600	599.29

Currently, 13,212 freedom fighter pensioners and 9,778 widows/spouse pensioners are alive and getting benefits, spread across all Indian states and union territories.