Freedom Fighter Certificate — How to Apply for Family Members

India honours the sacrifices of its freedom fighters through the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY), administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). If your parent, grandparent, or spouse was a recognised freedom fighter, you may be eligible for a Freedom Fighter Certificate and a monthly pension. This guide explains the complete process for family members.

What is a Freedom Fighter Certificate?

A Freedom Fighter Certificate is an official document issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that recognises an individual's participation in India's independence struggle (1857–1947). The certificate is essential for availing benefits under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY), originally launched in 1980 as the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme.

The Government of India has recognised 40 freedom movements for the purpose of this scheme. As of July 2025, a total of 1,71,689 freedom fighters and their eligible dependents have received Central pension under SSSY, with 13,212 pensioners and 9,778 widows/spouses still drawing pension.

Who is Eligible?

Freedom Fighters (Direct Applicants)

A person who meets any of the following criteria during the pre-independence period:

• Imprisoned for 6 months or more in mainland jails for participation in the freedom struggle (3 months for women and SC/ST freedom fighters)
• Ex-INA personnel who suffered imprisonment/detention of 6 months or more outside India
• Remained underground for 6 months or more as a proclaimed offender, had an award announced for arrest, or had a detention order issued but not served
• Interned at home or externed from their district under government orders for 6 months or more
• Property confiscated or sold by the government due to participation in the freedom struggle
• Permanently incapacitated during firing or lathi charge
• Lost government job (including local body jobs) for participation in the freedom struggle

Family Members / Dependents

If the freedom fighter is deceased, the following family members can apply for dependent family pension under SSSY:

Note: The spouse receives the pension at the same rate as the freedom fighter. Daughters and dependent parents receive 50% of the applicable pension amount.

Benefits & Pension Under SSSY

Monthly Pension Amounts (with 48% Dearness Relief as of January 2024)

Other Benefits

• Free railway passes — II AC in Rajdhani, Chair Car in Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi, and 1st Class or AC II Tier in all other trains (for freedom fighters, widows, and one attendant for life)
• Free medical treatment at all Central Government hospitals, CGHS dispensaries, and PSU hospitals
• General Pool Residential Accommodation in Delhi (within the 5% discretionary quota)
• Telephone connection without installation charges and half rentals
• Tax exemption — TDS is not applicable on Central Samman Pension
• Stay facility at State Bhawans in Delhi for freedom fighter pensioners and spouses

Documents Required

For the Freedom Fighter (Original Application)

1. Imprisonment/detention certificate from the jail authority, District Magistrate, or State Government — showing period of sentence, date of admission, date of release, and reasons
2. Co-prisoner certificates (CPC) — If official records are unavailable, 2 certificates from freedom fighters with proven jail suffering of minimum 1 year who were in the same jail. One certificate suffices if from a sitting/ex-MP or MLA
3. For underground suffering — Court/Government order declaring the applicant as an absconder, announcing an award for arrest, or ordering detention
4. Personal Knowledge Certificate (PKC) — If records for underground suffering are unavailable, from a prominent freedom fighter with proven jail suffering of minimum 2 years from the same administrative unit
5. State Government verification and recommendation
6. Identity proof — Aadhaar card, voter ID
7. Age proof — Birth certificate, school records
8. Passport-size photographs

For Family Members / Dependent Pension Transfer

1. Death certificate of the freedom fighter
2. Relationship proof — Marriage certificate (for spouse), birth certificate (for daughters/parents)
3. Freedom Fighter's PPO (Pension Payment Order) number or Samman Pension details
4. Declaration of employment/independent income — For dependent pension claims
5. Aadhaar card of the applicant
6. Bank account details (must be a Public Sector Bank account)
7. Two passport-size photographs
8. Affidavit/undertaking as prescribed in the application form

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Obtain State Government Verification

The application must first be routed through the State Government or Union Territory Administration. Contact your District Collector or the Freedom Fighter Cell in your state's Home Department.

Step 2: Collect Required Documents

Gather all documents listed above. For dependent pension, ensure you have the deceased freedom fighter's PPO details and valid relationship proof.

Step 3: Submit Application to the State Government

Submit your completed application with all supporting documents to the District Collector's office or the designated state-level authority. The state government will:

• Verify all documents
• Confirm the genuineness of the claim
• Forward the application with their recommendation to MHA

Step 4: State Government Forwards to MHA

After verification, the state government forwards the application to:

Freedom Fighters & Rehabilitation Division Ministry of Home Affairs 2nd Floor, NDCC-II Building Jai Singh Road, New Delhi — 110001

Step 5: MHA Scrutiny and Sanction

The MHA reviews the application, may seek clarifications, and if satisfied, issues:

• Freedom Fighter Certificate (for new applications)
• Pension Payment Order (PPO) for Samman Pension

Step 6: Pension Disbursement

The pensioner approaches the designated Public Sector Bank with their PPO to set up monthly pension disbursement.

For Dependent Family Pension Transfer

If you are applying for transfer of pension after the death of a freedom fighter pensioner:

1. Download the guidelines and application form for transfer of family/dependent pension from the MHA website
2. Fill the application form completely
3. Submit through the District Collector or directly to MHA with all required documents
4. MHA processes and issues revised PPO in the dependent's name

Processing Time

• State-level verification: 2–6 months (varies by state)
• MHA processing: 3–12 months after receiving the state-forwarded application
• Dependent pension transfer: Typically 3–6 months after complete submission
• Total end-to-end: 6–18 months depending on document availability and state responsiveness

Tip: Applications with complete documentation and strong state government recommendations are processed faster.

Important Tips

1. Apply through the state government — Direct applications to MHA without state verification are not accepted
2. Keep certified copies of all documents you submit; never send originals unless specifically asked
3. Public Sector Bank account is mandatory — Open one if you don't have it before applying
4. Dearness Relief is revised periodically — The pension amount increases with each DR revision by the Central Government
5. No new freedom fighter pensions — Since most applications are now for dependent/family pension transfers, ensure the original freedom fighter was already recognised or has verifiable records
6. 40 recognised movements — Your ancestor's participation must fall under one of the 40 recognised freedom movements listed by MHA
7. November 2024 amendments — The Centre has eased certain rules under SSSY; check the latest guidelines on the MHA website
8. Track your application through the state government's freedom fighter cell — MHA does not have a public online tracking portal for these applications

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can daughters of a deceased freedom fighter get pension?

Yes. Up to 3 eligible daughters can receive dependent family pension at any point in time. The pension amount is 50% of the freedom fighter's pension. They must submit a declaration of employment/independent income along with their application.

2. Is the spouse automatically eligible for pension after the freedom fighter's death?

The spouse (widow/widower) is eligible for the full pension amount (same rate as the freedom fighter). However, they must apply for transfer of pension through the prescribed process and submit the death certificate and relationship proof.

3. Can I apply online for a Freedom Fighter Certificate?

Currently, there is no fully online application process for Freedom Fighter Certificate or SSSY pension. Applications must be submitted physically through the State Government or District Collector's office, which then forwards them to MHA.

4. What if jail records or documentary evidence is not available?

If official records are unavailable, the scheme allows secondary evidence:

• 2 Co-Prisoner Certificates (CPC) from recognised freedom fighters with proven jail suffering of at least 1 year
• 1 certificate from a sitting/ex-MP or MLA can replace the two CPCs
• The State Government must certify that official records are not available

5. Is the freedom fighter pension taxable?

No. As per the policy guidelines dated 06.08.2014, TDS is not applicable on Central Samman Pension disbursed under SSSY.

6. What is the current pension amount for a freedom fighter's spouse?

As of January 2024 (with 48% DR), the spouse receives:

• ₹44,400/month (Ex-Andaman Political Prisoners category)
• ₹41,400/month (suffered outside British India)
• ₹38,480/month (other freedom fighters including INA)

7. Can grandchildren apply for freedom fighter pension?

No. Under the current SSSY guidelines, only the spouse, eligible daughters, and dependent parents of a deceased freedom fighter are eligible for dependent family pension. Grandchildren are not covered.

Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information is based on publicly available government sources as of the date mentioned. Pension amounts, eligibility criteria, and processes may change based on government notifications. Always refer to the official MHA website and consult your State Government's freedom fighter cell for the latest and most accurate information.