If a pensioner’s name or date of birth is erroneously mentioned in the pension payment order (PPO), it needs to be amended. Previously, the procedure varied among defence personnel, but now it has been standardised and the unified process applies to the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force
The defence pensioners from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, who find errors in their name or date of birth (DoB) in the pension payment order (PPO) can now easily rectify these issues. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently approved the recommendations of the Tri-Service Committee, which were approved by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) in October 2024.
According to the new guidelines, the procedure to update names and dates of birth will now be the same across all three services (Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force). Previously, each service had different processes, but with the new guidelines, all three services will follow the uniform procedure, which aims to reduce the documentation burden and simplify the name and DoB correction process.
For Retirees: To amend a first name, middle name, surname, or make any spelling corrections, retired personnel must submit an application accompanied by certain documents. Officers, Honorary Commissioned Officers, and junior commissions officer (JCO) equivalent ranks must include a Gazette Notification’, while Other Ranks (OR) needs an affidavit from a Class I Magistrate and an advertisement in an English-language newspaper. An applicant is also required to attach clippings from two national daily newspapers, self-attested copies of the Aadhaar and PAN card, along with the details of the pension account. If there is no change in name but only a spelling mistake, any such bonafide mistake can then be rectified in accordance with the enrolment form or commissioning letter. Other changes will require the aforementioned documents.
For Dependents: Dependents seeking name changes must provide an application, self-attested copies of PAN and Aadhaar, and an affidavit from a Class I Magistrate required for a change in surname or spelling error. For changes in the first or middle name, all previously mentioned documents and clippings from two national daily newspapers must also be included.
For Retirees: The change in DoB for the retired personnel, JCOs, and ORs will be done only for bonafide mistakes. Corrections will be made based on the enrolment form or commissioning letter.
For Dependents: To change the DoB of dependents, submission of documents following the instructions issued on December 23, 2014, is required. These documents include a self-attested copy of the PAN card, Aadhaar card, passport, ECHS card, driving license, election ID, or matriculation certificate.
Along with the documents, a declaration on non-judicial stamp paper specifying the correct date of birth is also required. In the case of children, a birth certificate issued by municipal authorities, the registrar, local panchayat, board of education, or the school head where the child is studying is also required.
The step aims to streamline the process and minimise issues related to personal details in PPOs. The ministry has standardised the forms, affidavits, declarations, and applications, which is expected to enhance convenience for defence pensioners and family pensioners' by reducing delays and improving the overall experience.