The Indian Army follows a lifelong principle: once a soldier serves the nation, the Army never abandons him or his family. This responsibility does not end with retirement or even with the loss of life in service. To ensure continuous support to veterans, widows, and families, the Indian Army has created a structured and dedicated system under the Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV).
By 2026, DIAV—along with its flagship initiative Veerangana Seva Kendra (VSK) has become one of the most reliable and veteran-friendly support mechanisms in the country. These platforms exist to guide, assist, and resolve problems faced by Army veterans, Veer Naris (widows), and Next of Kin (NoK) in a simple and dignified manner.
What Is DIAV and Why It Exists
The Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV) was originally created in 2013 as a Veterans Cell at Army Headquarters. Its purpose was to provide a single point of contact for ex-servicemen who were struggling with pensions, documentation, and welfare issues after retirement.
With time, the number of veterans increased and systems like SPARSH, ECHS, and digital portals became more complex. To meet these challenges, the Veterans Cell was upgraded into a full-fledged directorate under the Adjutant General’s Branch.
Today, DIAV handles:
- Pension and entitlement-related issues
- Welfare and rehabilitation matters
- Outreach and grievance redressal
- Skill development and transition support
DIAV works through a nationwide network of officers at Command, Area, and Station levels, along with Station ESM Cells, ensuring support even in remote locations.
Veerangana Seva Kendra (VSK ) and VSK +: Why It Was Needed
Many veterans and widows face problems such as:
- Pension delays or wrong calculations
- Confusion in SPARSH, ECHS, or CSD procedures
- Repeated visits to Record Offices and banks
- Lack of guidance after the death of a soldier
To solve this, the Indian Army launched Veerangana Seva Kendra (VSK ) in November 2022, initially focusing on Veer Naris. Based on its success, the system was expanded and informally referred to as VSK +, covering all veterans, family pensioners, and Next of Kin.
VSK functions as a single-window support system, combining technology with human empathy.
👉 WHAT IS THE SPARSH PPO NUMBER? WHAT DO ITS 12 DIGITS REPRESENT?
What Makes VSK Different and Effective
1. Operated by Family Pensioners
One unique and powerful feature of VSK is that its operators are family pensioners themselves. This ensures:
- Empathy and patience
- Better understanding of real problems
- Dignified handling of sensitive cases
2. Technology-Enabled Grievance Handling
VSK uses a centralised digital system that connects:
- Army Record Offices
- Pension authorities
- ECHS and CSD
- AWWA and welfare agencies
Once a grievance is registered, it can be tracked, and updates are shared through calls, messages, or emails.
3. Wide Range of Support
VSK helps with:
- Service and family pension issues
- SPARSH-related problems
- ECHS medical access
- CSD and welfare queries
- Documentation and entitlement guidance
Instead of running from office to office, veterans get guided end-to-end support.
Official DIAV & VSK Contact Details (2026)
The following verified contact details can be safely shared with veterans, widows, and families for seeking help:
📞 DIAV & VSK Helpline and Contact Information
| Category | Contact Details |
| DIAV Address | Directorate of Indian Army Veterans, 104 Cavalry Road, Maude Lines, Delhi Cantt – 110010 |
| VSK Helpline (Family Pensioners / Veer Naris / NoK) | ☎ 011-25664100 |
| VSK Helpline (Service Pensioners / Veterans) | ☎ 011-25664200 |
| WhatsApp – Family Pensioners | 📱 99109-64067 |
| WhatsApp – Service Pensioners | 📱 99106-10866 |
| Email – VSK (Family Pensioners) | ✉ diav.vsk @gov.in |
| Email – General Veteran Grievances | ✉ veteranscell-army@nic.in |
| Official Veterans Portal | Indian Army Veterans Portal (for grievance registration & tracking) |
How Veterans and Families Should Use These Services
- Call the helpline for immediate guidance
- Use WhatsApp to send documents or short queries
- Email for follow-ups or detailed explanations
- Register grievances online for official tracking and accountability
Veterans are advised to keep PPO number, service details, and ID proof ready while contacting.
👉 51 MUST-KNOW FACTS ABOUT ECHS FOR EVERY VETERAN IN 2026
Why DIAV and VSK Matter in 2026
India has lakhs of Army veterans and widows, many of whom are senior citizens. Navigating modern digital systems can be confusing and stressful for them. DIAV and VSK act as a protective bridge between veterans and government systems.
They ensure:
- Dignity instead of charity
- Guidance instead of confusion
- Resolution instead of endless paperwork
For Veer Naris, VSK is not just a helpdesk—it is emotional reassurance that the Army still stands with them.
Conclusion
In 2026, DIAV and VSK represent the Indian Army’s lifelong commitment to its people. From resolving a pension issue to guiding a widow through documentation, these systems ensure that service and sacrifice are honoured in a practical and humane way.
They send a clear message:
No soldier, veteran, or family member will ever be left alone.
Q 1: What is DIAV?
DIAV (Directorate of Indian Army Veterans) is an Indian Army setup under AG’s Branch that supports Army veterans, widows and NoK in pension, welfare and grievance-related matters.
Q 2: What is VSK and VSK+?
VSK (Veerangana Sewa Kendra) was started mainly for Veer Naris (widows).
VSK+ is commonly used for the expanded helpdesk support covering all veterans, service pensioners, family pensioners and NoK.
Q 3: What kind of problems can DIAV/VSK+ help with?
DIAV/VSK+ helps with:
Pension and entitlement issues
SPARSH-related problems
ECHS and medical access issues
CSD/welfare queries
Documentation and guidance for widows/NoK
Q 4: Who can contact DIAV and VSK+?
Any of the following can contact:
Service pensioners (veterans)
Family pensioners / Veer Naris
Next of Kin (NoK)
Dependents facing entitlement-related issues
Q 5: What details should be kept ready before calling VSK+?
Keep these ready:
Service number
PPO number
Aadhaar/ID proof (if needed)
Mobile number linked to pension/SPARSH
Brief description of the issue + documents/screenshots
Q 6: If helpline doesn’t solve the issue, what should a veteran do next?
If not resolved:
Send details on WhatsApp/email with documents
Register grievance on Indian Army Veterans portal
Keep acknowledgement/screenshots
Escalate with written follow-up for accountability
CAREER IN AI & MACHINE LEARNING — SKILLS AND COURSES GUIDE
Learn AI and Machine Learning careers, skills, courses, and roadmaps. This guide helps beginners choose the right path, build projects, and prepare …
