Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tribute to India’s armed forces veterans, highlighting the implementation of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme. In a post on X, he described OROP as a tribute to the courage and sacrifices of veterans and ex-service personnel who have dedicated their lives to national defense.
“On this day, #OneRankOnePension (OROP) was implemented. This was a tribute to the courage and sacrifices of our veterans and ex-service personnel who dedicate their lives to protecting our nation,” Modi posted, adding, “The decision to implement OROP was a significant step towards addressing this long-standing demand and reaffirming our nation’s gratitude to our heroes.”
Implemented on November 7, 2015, by the Modi government, with benefits effective from July 1, 2014, OROP ensures that retired soldiers of the same rank and length of service receive equal pensions, regardless of their retirement date. The Prime Minister underscored that millions of families and pensioners have benefited from the scheme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to the welfare of armed forces personnel.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also commented on OROP’s importance, calling it an “important pillar” of the Prime Minister’s policy toward the Armed Forces. In his message on X, he affirmed the government’s dedication to supporting soldiers and their families, noting that over 2.5 million veterans have benefited from the scheme.