Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the National Conclave 2025 on Ex-Servicemen Welfare on September 29, 2025. The two-day conclave was organised by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare with the theme "Viksit Bharat and Ex-Servicemen Welfare". Its focus was the review of welfare policies related to pension, healthcare and rehabilitation for ex-servicemen and their families.
India has approximately 33 lakh ex-servicemen and 6 lakh defence pensioners. This makes the issue wider than defence administration alone: it also connects with social security, dignified post-service life, rehabilitation and Centre-State coordination. The conclave also highlighted the role of Rajya Sainik Boards and Zila Sainik Boards, because these bodies help carry welfare schemes to ex-servicemen at the local level. The recognition of better-performing Sainik Boards and contributing individuals also sends a governance signal about strengthening the delivery chain.
For examination purposes, the update is useful for understanding the governance and defence-welfare interface. In exams such as UPSC and RAS, questions can connect it with the welfare state, administrative coordination, rehabilitation of defence personnel, health security and pension systems. For static GK, the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Sainik Boards, rehabilitation mechanisms and the social-welfare role of the Ministry of Defence should be linked with current affairs. For mains, this is an example of how the state's responsibility does not end after service in the armed forces; policy has to combine dignity, access to facilities and rehabilitation.