The One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, a significant initiative by the Indian government, aims to provide uniform pension to armed forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of their retirement date. As of 2025, several updates have been implemented to enhance the scheme's effectiveness and reach.
What is OROP?
OROP ensures that military personnel retiring at the same rank and with identical service duration receive equal pension benefits, irrespective of their retirement date. This addresses disparities where earlier retirees received lower pensions compared to those who retired later.
Key Updates in 2025
1. Third Revision Implemented
The government has executed the third revision of the OROP scheme, effective from July 1, 2024. This revision ensures equitable pensions for armed forces personnel of the same rank and service length. The 2025–26 budget reflects a 13.5% increase in defence pension allocations to accommodate this revision and the anticipated rise in pensioners.
2. Supreme Court Ruling for Retired High Court Judges
In a landmark decision on May 19, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that the OROP principle must be uniformly applied to all retired High Court judges. This ensures that retired judges receive equal pension benefits irrespective of their mode of recruitment, whether they ascended from the district judiciary or were appointed from the pool of legal advocates. The ruling aims to standardize pension benefits and eliminate disparities that previously existed among retired judges based on their career origin.
Beneficiaries
The OROP scheme benefits over 25 lakh veterans and their families, bringing much-needed financial security to the ex-servicemen community. The scheme has not only improved the standard of living for retired military personnel but has also ensured greater dignity for their service to the nation.
Revised Pension Tables
The revised pension under the OROP scheme applies to all defence pensioners/family pensioners who had been retired/discharged/invalided out from service/died in service or after retirement in the rank of commissioned officers, honorary commissioned officers, JCOs/ORs, and non-combatants (enrolled) of the army, navy, air force, defence security corps, territorial army, and ex-state forces and are in receipt of pension/family pension as on July 1, 2024.
Welfare Initiatives for Ex-Servicemen
The government has reinforced pension benefits under the OROP scheme and expanded job opportunities for ex-servicemen in PSUs, government sectors, and private enterprises. To facilitate the reintegration of ex-servicemen into civilian life, various re-settlement and skill development programs have been launched, aiding their transition into roles within government organizations, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), corporate enterprises, and the private sector.