SWATANTRATA SAINIK SAMMAN YOJANA

The Ministry of Home Affairs administers the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY), a Central Sector Scheme that provides a Central Samman Pension to recognised Freedom Fighters and their eligible dependents. As of the date of the release, the scheme covers 12,898 beneficiaries – 1,553 Freedom Fighters and 11,345 dependents – across states and Union Territories (Annexure‑I). Pension rates were last revised effective 15 Aug 2016, with Dearness Relief (DR) updated w.e.f. 1 July 2025 (Annexure‑II). The scheme also offers railway passes, free medical facilities, and transit stay at State Bhawan (Annexure‑III). The most recent third‑party evaluation was conducted by the Indian Institute of Public Administration for the 15th Finance Commission Cycle in Dec 2020, with the next evaluation assigned to the Quality Council of India.