Pension: The Eighth Pay Commission has officially sanctioned the implementation of its recommendations, bringing an end to the prolonged anticipation felt by millions of central government employees and pensioners. This pivotal decision was made during a Union Cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Approximately 49.18 lakh employees and 64.89 lakh pensioners stand to benefit from this development. Additionally, some state governments, including the Delhi government, are set to adopt the pay commission’s recommendations, resulting in increased pensions for state government retirees. Notably, the central administration has also taken significant measures for other pensioners, particularly through the Ministry of Defense.
Key initiatives from the Ministry of Defense
Recently, the Ministry of Defense has introduced a standardized procedure aimed at streamlining the process for updating names and dates of birth in the Pension Payment Order (PPO) for retired personnel and their dependents. This initiative is expected to assist countless individuals.
This new approach was established following the recommendations of a tri-services committee, which was chaired by the Additional Director General of Military Personnel (Policy and Planning). The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) officially endorsed this simplified procedure with guidelines released in October 2024. Previously, the processes for correcting names or dates of birth in the PPO varied among the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The newly standardized protocol will facilitate smoother operations across all three branches, significantly alleviating the paperwork burden for retirees and their families.
What are the updated regulations?
For retired employees seeking to amend their date of birth, corrections for Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Other Ranks (ORs) will only be permitted in cases of genuine errors. These corrections will be validated using the Commissioning Letter or Enrollment Form as a reference point.
To verify or amend the date of birth for dependents, you will need to provide specific documents such as a PAN card, matriculation certificate, passport, ECHS card, or driving license. For children, a birth certificate issued by the registrar, municipal authority, local panchayat, or the principal of a recognized school is required.
If you wish to change your name
For retired employees looking to change or correct their name—whether it’s the surname, first name, middle name, or any spelling mistakes—you must start by submitting a personal application. For the Online Registration System (ORS), you will need to include an affidavit from a first-class magistrate along with a newspaper advertisement in English. Don’t forget to attach your Aadhaar card and PAN card, and ensure all details of your last pension account are filled out.
To correct a surname or spelling error, submit a personal application and attach copies of your PAN card and Aadhaar card. You will also need to obtain an affidavit from a judge.
For changing the first and middle names, follow these steps:
1) Submit a personal application.
2) Upload your PAN card and Aadhaar card.
3) Provide an affidavit from a first-class magistrate.
4) Include copies of advertisements from at least two national newspapers.