Internship Programme Of The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (MoEFCC) 2026

The Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, launched in 1972, offers pensions to freedom fighters and their families Read More... to honour their contribution to India's independence. Read less

Details

India's freedom struggle was a monumental effort, and to honour those who sacrificed for our independence, the Government of India introduced the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme. This scheme is a way to extend financial support and respect to living freedom fighters and their families.

What Is This Scheme?

The Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme was started by the Ministry of Home Affairs on August 15, 1972. It's a pension program designed to provide financial assistance to freedom fighters who participated in the struggle for India's independence. If a freedom fighter is no longer alive, the pension can be extended to their eligible family members, including martyrs' families.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The scheme primarily benefits freedom fighters who meet specific criteria related to their participation in the independence movement. This includes individuals who faced imprisonment, went underground, were externed, lost property, or became incapacitated due to their involvement. If the freedom fighter is deceased, their eligible dependents, such as a widow/widower, unmarried daughters, mother, or father, can receive the pension.

Why This Scheme Is Important

This scheme is a crucial recognition of the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters. It ensures that they and their families receive a monthly pension as a token of respect and acknowledgement for their role in achieving India's freedom. The pension aims to provide financial security and uphold the dignity of those who fought for the nation's liberation.

Objective

The Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, launched in 1972, offers pensions to freedom fighters and their families to honour their contribution to India's independence.

Benefits

Certificate of Internship:Upon satisfactory completion of the internship, a certificate will be issued to the intern after the submission of the report.

Duration:The Internship Programme in Wildlife Crime Control Bureau will be conducted in two phases in a year, during the summer & winter vacations of colleges. Each programme will be one month long, commencing on the 1st of the month and concluding at the end of the month.

Summer Internships:shall be conducted during the months of May & June.

Winter Internships:shall be conducted during the months of December & January.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered a freedom fighter for this pension scheme, an individual must meet the following conditions:

Suffered Imprisonment: Must have undergone a minimum imprisonment of six months in mainland jails before Independence.

For ex-INA personnel, eligibility requires imprisonment or detention suffered outside India.
The minimum imprisonment period is reduced to three months for women and SC/ST freedom fighters from August 1, 1980.

Remained Underground: Must have stayed underground for over six months if they were a proclaimed offender, had an arrest/head award announced, or had a detention order issued but not served.
Internment/Externment: Must have been interned in their home or externed from their district for a period of six months or more.
Property Confiscation: Must have had their property confiscated or attached and sold due to their participation in the freedom struggle.
Permanent Incapacitation: Must have become permanently incapacitated during firing or lathi charge while participating in the freedom struggle.
Loss of Job: Must have lost their job (Central or State Government) or means of livelihood for participating in the national movement.

Definition of Imprisonment: Detention ordered by a competent authority is considered imprisonment. A period of normal remission up to one month is counted as actual imprisonment. The trial period for cases ending in conviction is also counted as imprisonment.

Eligible Dependents: If a freedom fighter is not alive, the eligible family members are their mother, father, widower/widow (if not remarried), and unmarried daughters. Only one eligible dependent can receive the pension at a time. The order of preference is widow/widower, unmarried daughters, mother, and then father.

Important Note: Movements for the merger of Princely States within the Indian Union after August 15, 1947, and movements against British, French, or Portuguese rule with the aim of India's freedom are considered part of the National Freedom Struggle.

How To Apply

To apply for the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, you can follow these steps:

Obtain Application Form: Request a free copy of the prescribed application form. You can get it from the State Government/Union Territory Administration concerned, or directly from the Freedom Fighters’ Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi.
Fill the Form: Complete the application form accurately, providing all necessary details and attaching the required documents.
Submit the Application: Send the completed application form in duplicate.
- One copy should be submitted to the Chief Secretary of the State Government or Union Territory Administration where you reside.
- The second copy should be sent as an advance copy to the Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, Freedom Fighters Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi – 110003.

Official Address for Advance Copy:
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India,
Freedom Fighters Division,
Ministry of Home Affairs,
New Delhi – 110003

Documents Required

Applicants need to provide specific documents based on their situation:

For Application Submission:

(A) Regarding Imprisonment/Detention:

Certificate from jail authorities, District Magistrates, or State Government.
If official certificates are unavailable, a co-prisoner certificate from a sitting MP or MLA, or Ex-MP or Ex-MLA mentioning the jail period (Annexure-I of the application form).

(B) For Having Remained Underground:

Documentary proof like Court's or Government orders declaring the applicant as an offender, announcing an award for arrest/head, or ordering detention.
If official records are missing, a certificate from veteran freedom fighters who have undergone imprisonment for 5 years or more.

(C) For Internment or Externment:

Order of internment or externment, or other supporting documentary evidence.
If official records are unavailable, a certificate from prominent freedom fighters who have undergone imprisonment for 5 years or more (Annexure-II of the application).
Note: The certifying veteran freedom fighter and the applicant must belong to the same administrative unit before state reorganisation and have the same area of operation.

(D) For Loss of Property or Job, etc.:

Orders of confiscation and sale of property.
Orders of dismissal or removal from service.

For Receiving Pension (Identification):

The following identification documents are required when collecting the pension:

A recent photograph.
Two prominent identification marks on the body.
Specimen signature or left-hand thumb and finger impressions, duly attested by a competent authority (for those unable to sign).
Date of birth.

FAQ’s

What are the pension amounts for different categories of freedom fighters and their dependents?

As of August 15, 2016, the basic pension amounts are ₹30,000/- (Ex-Andaman Political Prisoners/Spouses), ₹28,000/- (Freedom Fighters who suffered outside British India/Spouses), and ₹26,000/- (Other Freedom Fighters/Spouses including INA). For dependent parents/eligible daughters, it's 50% of the freedom fighter's pension, ranging from ₹13,000/- to ₹15,000/-. Total pension including 3% Dearness Relief is also provided as per these categories.

Can the pension be automatically passed on to my heirs if I pass away?

No, the pension is not automatically transferred to heirs. If a pensioner dies, their heirs must submit a fresh application, and it will be considered according to the scheme's rules.

What counts as 'imprisonment' for the pension scheme?

Detention under the orders of a competent authority is considered imprisonment. A period of normal remission up to one month is also counted as part of actual imprisonment. For trials that end in conviction, the period spent as an undertrial is counted towards imprisonment.

Who are considered eligible dependents if the freedom fighter is no longer alive?

Eligible dependents include the mother, father, the freedom fighter's spouse (if not remarried), and unmarried daughters. If more than one person is eligible, the pension is granted in the order of spouse, unmarried daughters, mother, and then father.

How are broken periods of imprisonment considered for eligibility?

Any broken periods of imprisonment are added together to calculate the total qualifying period for pension eligibility.

What proof is needed if official records for imprisonment are not available?

If official certificates are unavailable, a certificate from a co-prisoner, a sitting or ex-MP/MLA, or a veteran freedom fighter (who has undergone imprisonment for 5 years or more) can be submitted, as specified in the application form annexures.

Are movements related to merging princely states after India's independence considered part of the freedom struggle?

Yes, movements aimed at merging princely states into the Indian Union after August 15, 1947, are recognised as part of the National Freedom Movement for this pension scheme.

What conditions must be met by someone who was underground to qualify for the pension?

To qualify, the person must have remained underground for over six months and must have been a proclaimed offender, had an award for their arrest or head announced, or had a detention order issued against them that was not served.

How can I get the application form for this pension?

You can obtain the application form free of cost by requesting it from the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration or directly from the Freedom Fighters’ Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.

What documents are required for identification when receiving the pension payments?

You will need to provide a photograph, details of two prominent identification marks, your specimen signature or thumb impression (attested if illiterate), and your date of birth to the Treasury Officer/Sub-Treasury Officer.

What is the minimum imprisonment duration for eligibility under the scheme?

Generally, a minimum imprisonment of six months in mainland jails before Independence is required. However, for women and SC/ST freedom fighters, this minimum period was reduced to three months from August 1, 1980.

Does the pension for unmarried daughters continue if they get married?

No, the pension for unmarried daughters ceases immediately after they get married or become otherwise independent.

Which foreign colonial powers' struggles are recognised for pension eligibility?

Movements and mutinies directed against the British, French (in Pondicherry), and Portuguese (in Goa) with the objective of achieving India's freedom are considered part of the National Freedom Struggle.

What kind of proof is needed for internment or externment eligibility?

You need to submit the official order of internment or externment, or other corroborating documentary evidence. If official records are unavailable, a certificate from a veteran freedom fighter who underwent imprisonment for five years or more can be used.

Where do I need to send the different copies of my application?

The application needs to be submitted in duplicate. One copy goes to the Chief Secretary of your State Government/Union Territory Administration, and the second copy is sent as an advance copy to the Deputy Secretary, Freedom Fighters Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.