Kendriya Sainik Board is running Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund (RMEWF) Vocational Training Scheme for widows of ex-servicemen up to the rank of Havildar. Under this scheme, an eligible widow gets a one-time cash benefit of ₹50,000 after she finishes a recognised vocational training course. Registration and application are open through the official KSB portal at ksb.gov.in.
Ministry of Defence increased the grant amount from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 in August 2023 to give better income support to widows of jawans and NCOs. As per a reply given in Rajya Sabha on 12 March 2025 by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development, the scheme continues to help widows settle in life through skill training and self-employment.
RMEWF Vocational Training Scheme 2026 - Overview
Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund is a corpus fund run by Kendriya Sainik Board Secretariat under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence. RMEWF supports the families of soldiers who served the country at lower ranks and later passed away. Vocational Training grant for widows is one of the main welfare schemes funded from this corpus.
Aim of the scheme is simple. A widow of a jawan or NCO often has to look after her family alone after her husband's death. A short vocational course helps her get a job or start a small work of her own. So the government gives her ₹50,000 as one-time money help after she finishes the course. This amount is paid directly into her bank account through ECS transfer.
Application is fully online through the KSB portal. Zila Sainik Welfare Officer (ZSWO) checks the papers, and Kendriya Sainik Board gives final approval. Cases are cleared on a quarterly basis. As per official data given in Parliament, the scheme has already helped many widows in the last few years since the amount was revised.
Benefit Amount and Payment
Approved widow of ex-serviceman gets one-time cash benefit of ₹50,000 after successful completion of vocational training. This is a full grant, not a loan. No repayment is needed. Payment is done through Electronic Clearing System (ECS) directly into the bank account of the applicant.
Earlier this amount was only ₹20,000 since 2007. Ministry of Defence has revised it to ₹50,000 with effect from August 2023 so that the widow can actually use the money to start something small at her level. The benefit is available for one course only. A second course does not qualify for another grant.
Who Can Apply for RMEWF Vocational Training Grant
This scheme is only for widows of ex-servicemen who served in Indian Armed Forces up to the rank of Havildar or its equivalent (like Petty Officer in Navy or Sergeant in Air Force). Widows of officers and JCOs are not covered under this particular grant. Before applying, the widow should have already finished the vocational course and should hold the completion certificate.
Below are the main conditions a widow needs to meet to get this grant:
- Applicant must be a widow of ex-serviceman of rank up to Havildar or equivalent rank in Navy/Air Force.
- Applicant must have already completed a vocational training course from a recognised institute.
- Application should carry a recommendation from the concerned Zila Sainik Board (ZSB).
- Widow should hold a valid Widow Identity Card issued by the Sainik Welfare Office.
Course can be done at any recognised institute run by Rajya Sainik Board or Zila Sainik Board, government ITIs, or reputed private training centres like NIIT. So the widow has good choice as per her interest and education level.
Documents Required
All papers should be kept ready in scanned form before starting the online application. Every document must be attested by the Zila Sainik Welfare Officer (ZSWO) of the applicant's district. Without ZSWO attestation, the file will not move ahead.
Following documents are required for RMEWF vocational training application:
- Complete Service Discharge Certificate or Discharge Book of the late ex-serviceman.
- Copy of Widow Identity Card issued by Zila Sainik Welfare Office.
- Course completion certificate from the training institute.
- Certificate from ZSWO confirming that the widow is gainfully employed after her training.
- Bank account details of applicant, specifically from State Bank of India (SBI) or Punjab National Bank (PNB), along with IFSC code.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | RMEWF - Financial Assistance for Vocational Training of Widows of Ex-Servicemen |
| Launched By | Ministry of Defence, Government of India |
| Running Body | Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) Secretariat |
| Beneficiaries | Widows of ex-servicemen up to Havildar rank |
| Benefit Amount | ₹50,000 one-time cash benefit |
| Revised From | August 2023 (earlier ₹20,000) |
| Application Mode | Online through KSB portal |
| Payment Mode | ECS transfer to bank account (SBI/PNB) |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare |
| Official Website | ksb.gov.in |
How to Apply for RMEWF Vocational Training Grant Online
Applicant widow has to apply online through the official Kendriya Sainik Board portal. Whole process is paperless, but ZSWO attestation on documents is required before uploading. Follow the steps given below in order.
STEP 1 - Open the official Kendriya Sainik Board Secretariat portal by typing ksb.gov.in in your browser. On the homepage, click on the New User Registration link if you are applying for the first time. Fill in basic details like your name, mobile number and email ID, and submit the form to get login details on your registered email.
STEP 2 - Check your email inbox for the login username and password sent by KSB. Click on the activation link given in the same email to activate your account. Now come back to the portal and log in using the credentials.
STEP 3 - After login, go to the schemes list and select 'Financial Assistance for Vocational Training of Widows of Ex-Servicemen' under RMEWF. Fill in the personal details of the widow, details of the late ex-serviceman, rank held, and full details of the vocational course completed.
STEP 4 - Upload scanned copies of all required documents. Every document must be attested by your Zila Sainik Welfare Officer before you upload. Files should be clear and readable, otherwise the form may get rejected at the checking stage.
STEP 5 - Submit the completed application form. ZSWO of your district will check the file and call you for physical verification if needed. On successful verification, ZSWO will recommend your case and forward it to Kendriya Sainik Board for final approval.
STEP 6 - Once KSB approves your file, the Welfare department will match your bank details and start the ₹50,000 payment through ECS transfer. You can check the status of your application anytime by clicking the 'Status of Application' link on the portal using your DAK ID.
Where to Do the Vocational Training
Widow can pick any recognised training centre as per her interest. Course must be from an institute that is approved by the government or an established name in the private sector. Some of the common options are training centres run by Rajya Sainik Board or Zila Sainik Board, government ITIs across the country, and private institutes like NIIT for computer and IT-related courses. Courses in tailoring, beauty care, computer basics, office assistance and similar short-term skills are popular under this scheme.
Contact and Help
For any doubt about registration, document checking or payment status, the widow should first contact her local Zila Sainik Welfare Office (ZSWO). ZSWO is the main point of contact for all field-level work under this scheme. For portal-related problems or technical issues, applicants can also contact Kendriya Sainik Board Secretariat, West Block-IV, R.K. Puram, New Delhi. Full contact details and help numbers are listed on the official portal ksb.gov.in.
Widows can also see other useful support programmes on our page listing Central and State Women Empowerment Schemes and check Central Govt Schemes for Students if children of the family need study support as well.
References
Official scheme guidelines are available on the Kendriya Sainik Board portal: Scheme Guidelines
FAQ's
What is the current benefit amount under RMEWF Vocational Training Scheme?
Approved widow gets a one-time cash benefit of ₹50,000. This amount was revised from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 with effect from August 2023 by Ministry of Defence.
Can widows of officers or JCOs apply for this scheme?
No. This particular grant is only for widows of ex-servicemen who served up to the rank of Havildar or equivalent rank in Navy and Air Force. Widows of higher ranks are covered under other RMEWF schemes.
Can a widow apply while she is still doing the vocational course?
No. Application is accepted only after the widow has fully finished the course and holds a valid completion certificate from her training institute.
Is bank account from any bank accepted for payment?
No. Payment is done only into a bank account held with State Bank of India (SBI) or Punjab National Bank (PNB). Applicants must open an account in one of these banks if they do not have one already.
Can one widow get the benefit more than one time?
No. This is a one-time cash benefit for one course only. A second course does not qualify for another grant under this scheme.
How long does it take to get the payment after applying?
Cases are processed on a quarterly basis by Kendriya Sainik Board. So the time may vary. Applicants can check the status online on the KSB portal using their DAK ID.
Does the scheme accept old or backdated applications?
No. Kendriya Sainik Board does not entertain old or backdated cases. Widow should apply as soon as she completes her vocational course to avoid rejection.