Financial Assistance for Marriage of Daughters of ESM and Remarriage of Widows

Financial Assistance for Marriage of Daughters of ESM and Remarriage of Widows is a welfare scheme run by the Ministry of Defence through the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB). It gives a grant to ex-servicemen, widows, and orphan daughters of personnel up to the rank of Havildar to cover marriage or remarriage costs. As of August 2026 the grant stands at ₹50,000 per daughter or widow, and the government has approved an increase to ₹100,000 per daughter that takes effect from 01 November 2026.

The scheme is paid out of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) and is open to pensioner and non-pensioner ex-servicemen. Applications are made online on the official KSB portal within 180 days of the marriage date. The support covers up to two daughters per family, and the amount is transferred directly to the bank account through NEFT.

Financial Assistance for Marriage of Daughters of ESM and Remarriage of Widows - Introduction

Financial Assistance for Marriage of Daughters of ESM and Remarriage of Widows supports ex-servicemen, their widows, and orphan daughters of personnel who held rank up to Havildar or equivalent in the Army, Navy, or Air Force. By giving a cash grant for marriage or remarriage, the scheme reduces the money burden on military families. The Kendriya Sainik Board Secretariat (KSB Sectt) implements this scheme and it is funded through the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF).

The scheme started back in 1981 with a grant of ₹3,000 per daughter. It was revised in May 2007 to ₹16,000 per head, applicable to up to two daughters. Later the amount was raised to ₹50,000 per daughter. On 15 October 2025 the government recommended that the marriage grant be enhanced from ₹50,000 to ₹100,000 per daughter, effective 01 November 2026, for applications submitted after 31 October 2026.

Key Information

Benefits

The scheme offers a grant of ₹50,000 per daughter or for a widow's remarriage, paid directly from the AFFDF. This support covers up to two daughters per family. From 01 November 2026 the grant rises to ₹100,000 per daughter for applications submitted after 31 October 2026. The KSB Secretariat transfers the amount online to the bank account using National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT).

Both pensioner and non-pensioner ex-servicemen can apply. The payment is made in the order in which applications are approved, based on the availability of funds in the AFFDF. A widow can also apply for the grant for her own remarriage, and an orphan daughter can apply for her own marriage grant.

Eligibility

The following conditions must be met to receive this grant:

• The applicant should be an ex-serviceman (ESM), an ESM's widow, or an orphan daughter of an ESM.
• The rank at the time of service should have been Havildar or equivalent and below in the Army, Navy, or Air Force.
• The daughter receiving the grant should be above 18 years of age.
• The application should be submitted online within 180 days of the marriage date.
• The application requires verification and recommendation from the local Zila Sainik Board (ZSB) and the corresponding Rajya Sainik Board (RSB).
• The applicant should not have received any other grant for this purpose from a state government or service authority.

Application Process

Application is made online through the official Kendriya Sainik Board Secretariat website. A one-time registration is needed before applying for the marriage grant.

STEP 1 - Open the official KSB website at www.ksb.gov.in and select the Register option on the portal.

STEP 2 - Fill in Part 1 with personal and service details such as name, service number, rank, type of service, date of enrollment, and date of discharge. Also enter the Aadhaar number, email, and mobile number.

STEP 3 - Fill in Part 2 with residence and bank details, making sure the bank account is linked with Aadhaar so that payment goes through correctly. Create a strong password and log in using the User ID and password.

STEP 4 - Click on the marriage grant application link and fill in the form. Provide service details, bank account details, applicant type, and the date of marriage.

STEP 5 - Upload all required documents in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format with a size limit of 1MB per file, review the declaration, and click the Save and Forward button to submit.

After submission, the ZSB staff verify the application after giving an appointment to the applicant. The ZSB officer recommends the case and forwards it to the RSB, whose secretary recommends it before it reaches KSB. Once approved, the amount is paid online through NEFT based on the availability of funds in the AFFDF.

Documents

The following documents must be scanned and uploaded with the application form:

• A complete colored scan of the Discharge Book or service document, which must have an entry regarding the daughter.
• Valid proof of age for the daughter.
• Marriage certificate issued by the Marriage Registrar.
• A self-declaration stating that no money or grant has been taken from any state government or service authority for this marriage.
• Details of the bank account, such as the first page of the bank passbook or a cancelled cheque showing the account holder name, IFSC code, account number, and bank name.
• Pension Payment Order (PPO), as applicable.

References

Guidelines for daughter marriage grant | Self Declaration Form | Sample Application Form | Application Authorization Flow | Instructions for Application

FAQ's

Am I eligible if my rank was Havildar?

Yes, the scheme is available for ex-servicemen up to the rank of Havildar or equivalent in the Army, Navy, or Air Force.

Can non-pensioner ESM apply?

Yes, both pensioner and non-pensioner ex-servicemen can apply for this grant.

Is there a limit on the number of daughters?

Yes, this financial aid covers a maximum of two daughters per family.

What is the deadline for applying?

The online application must be submitted within 180 days after the marriage takes place.

What is the grant amount in 2026?

The grant is ₹50,000 per daughter or widow. From 01 November 2026 it increases to ₹100,000 per daughter for applications submitted after 31 October 2026.

Can a widow apply for her own remarriage?

Yes, widows of ex-servicemen are eligible to apply for this grant for their own remarriage.

Can an orphan daughter apply?

Yes, an orphan daughter of an ESM can apply for the marriage grant herself.

What if my daughter is 17?

The daughter must be above 18 years of age to qualify for the benefit.

What documents are necessary for upload?

A colored scan of the Discharge Book, daughter's age proof, marriage certificate, self-declaration, bank details, and the PPO are required.

Can I apply if I already received a state government grant?

No, the applicant should confirm that no other grant has been taken for the same purpose from state or service authorities.

Can I apply for a second daughter after an initial grant?

Yes, a fresh application can be made for the second daughter as long as it is within 180 days of her wedding.

What marriage proof is required?

A marriage certificate issued by an official marriage registrar is required.

What details must a non-pensioner provide?

If the applicant is a non-pensioner, the monthly income from other sources should be stated in the application.