Today we will understand the important subject of One Rank One Pension (OROP) in simple words. This topic has been debated for more than five decades. Every ex-serviceman has heard about OROP, but very few know its full history — why it was demanded, what the government implemented, what the courts said, and where the matter stands today.
We will go step by step in six points:
- Definition of OROP
- History of OROP
- The 2011 Koshiyari Committee Report
- Government’s Implementation Order of 07 Nov 2015
- Supreme Court Judgment of Mar 2022
- AFT Delhi Judgment of Jan 2025
Fact 1: Definition of OROP
At its core, OROP is very simple:
👉 Equal pension for equal rank with equal length of service, irrespective of date of retirement.
That means if two soldiers retire as Naik after 20 years of service, whether one retired in 1985 and the other in 2020, both should get the same pension.
Why is this important?
- Most government servants complete their service until 60 years of age.
- Soldiers, on the other hand, retire much earlier —
- A Sepoy can retire as early as 35-37 years.
- JCOs retire in their 40s.
- Only officers may serve till 54–60.
So for most soldiers, pension is the only financial support for the next 30–40 years of life. Any gap in pension creates huge inequality and hardship.
Unfortunately, before 2014, pensions varied widely even for the same rank, depending on the date of retirement. That is why the demand for OROP became a matter of justice.
Fact 2: History of OROP
The story begins in 1973.
- Before 1973
- Pension for officers was fixed at 50 percent of the last pay they had drawn
- .JCOs/ORs received 70% of last drawn pay.
- This recognized that soldiers retire younger and need more pension support.
- After 1973
- The Indira Gandhi government, based on recommendations of the 3rd Pay Commission, reduced pensions of soldiers and brought them at par with civilians.
- Soldiers’ pensions fell, while civilian pensions rose.
This was the starting point of injustice and the demand for OROP.
Over the next 40 years:
- Every Pay Commission noted the demand.
- Multiple Parliamentary Committees supported it.
- Governments acknowledged it in speeches.
Implementation did not take place, and the most common reason mentioned was the heavy cost involved.
Fact 3: The Koshiyari Committee Report (2011)
In 2011, a Parliamentary Committee on Defence, headed by Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari (MP, Uttarakhand), studied the matter in detail.
It gave its report on 19 Dec 2011, and this became a turning point.
The Committee’s Key Points:
- The OROP demand is not charity, but rightful justice.
- Soldiers cannot be compared with civilians because they:
- retire much earlier,
- serve under tough and dangerous conditions,
- have limited re-employment options.
- The financial excuse is weak: nation’s security and morale are more important than money.
- Recommended: Implement OROP in full, without any dilution.
The report added to the government’s responsibility while giving fresh hope to veterans.
Fact 4: Government Implementation Order (07 Nov 2015)
Finally, after decades of protests, rallies, and hunger strikes by veterans at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, the government announced OROP on 07 Nov 2015, effective from 01 Jul 2014.
What was implemented?
- All past pensioners were brought closer to current pension levels.
- Arrears were paid from 01 Jul 2014.
- About 20 lakh defence pensioners benefited.
But there were 3 major dilutions:
- Average Formula – Pension was fixed as the average of minimum and maximum pensions, instead of the top pension. Result: “One Rank, Many Pensions.”
- Five-Year Revision – Instead of automatic annual increase (like civilians get with each Pay Commission), OROP pensions were to be revised once every 5 years.
- Exclusion of Premature Retirees – Soldiers who took voluntary retirement (PMR) after long years of service were denied OROP.
The 2015 order was historic, but not the “true OROP” that veterans wanted.
Fact 5: Supreme Court Judgment (16 Mar 2022)
Veterans’ associations challenged the 2015 order in the Supreme Court.
- The Supreme Court pronounced its judgment on 16 March 2022.
- The government’s 2015 order was a policy decision, and courts cannot interfere in such matters.
- The average-based formula and 5-year revision were upheld.
- The exclusion of premature retirees was also upheld as valid policy.
This was a big setback for veterans.
What happened next?
- OROP-II tables were issued in 2023 (revision due after 5 years).
- OROP-III tables followed in 2024.
- But many veterans saw little or no increase in pension because of the average formula.
Fact 6: AFT Delhi Judgment (31 Jan 2025)
On 31 Jan 2025, the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), Delhi gave a very important judgment.
- It ruled that excluding premature retirees from OROP violates Articles 14 and 16 (Right to Equality) of the Constitution.
- The tribunal referred to the famous D.S. Nakara case (1982), where the Supreme Court had ruled that pensioners cannot be divided unfairly.
- AFT said: Premature retirees must also get OROP benefits.
However, like many such judgments, it is still pending with the government for implementation.
Conclusion
So friends, here is the reality in simple words:
- Credit must go to the BJP government for finally implementing OROP in 2015 after 40 years of struggle.
- But, it was not the complete OROP as defined by the Koshiyari Committee.
- The Supreme Court’s 2022 decision means the pension will probably continue with the average formula and five-year review system.
- The next revision is due on 01 Jul 2029.
- The AFT’s 2025 judgment on premature retirees gives fresh hope, but we must wait to see if the government implements it.
Till then, let us stay aware, united, and healthy. Pension matters are complicated, but knowledge is power.
Jai Hind!
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