The One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, which recently marked its tenth anniversary, was introduced to address pension disparities among veterans of India’s Armed Forces. At its core, OROP is based on the principle that military personnel retiring with the same rank and years of service should receive equal pension benefits, regardless of their retirement date. This policy has proven to be a landmark step toward honoring the service and sacrifices of military personnel by providing a dignified and fair pension system.
Key Features of OROP
Uniformity in Pension: The OROP scheme mandates that pension for veterans is re-fixed every five years based on the pension rates of personnel who retired in 2013. This provision ensures that newer retirees do not receive higher pensions than those who retired earlier, preserving fairness.
Impact on Over 25 Lakh Pensioners: OROP has been extended to over 25 lakh retired personnel from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This broad coverage signifies the government’s commitment to acknowledging the needs of all veterans and bridging any economic disparities arising from variations in retirement dates.
Why OROP Matters
Addressing Inflation and Economic Disparities: Military veterans who retired earlier faced reduced pensions due to inflation and subsequent pay scale revisions. OROP helps offset these challenges by keeping pensions in sync with current scales.
Honoring Service to the Nation: Providing a fair pension reinforces the country’s appreciation for the armed forces' selfless service and sacrifices. The scheme contributes to enhancing the dignity and welfare of veterans and their families, making their transition from service smoother and more equitable.
Sociopolitical Stability: The scheme has also contributed to addressing grievances and reducing discontent within the military community by ensuring that no veteran is left behind in terms of economic support.
Additional Insights for UPSC Aspirants
OROP is a significant welfare measure under defense policy and national security. It represents a constitutional effort in upholding the Right to Equality (Article 14), which can also serve as a model for ensuring fair retirement policies in other sectors. Additionally, understanding OROP can be beneficial in studying public administration concepts related to policy evaluation, welfare distribution, and equality principles. The scheme's challenges in implementation, budgetary concerns, and the impact of periodic pension revisions are vital topics in fiscal policy and welfare economics.
Practice Question
Consider the following statements about the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme:
OROP mandates that military pensions be re-fixed every three years.
The scheme ensures uniform pension for veterans retiring with the same rank and years of service, regardless of their retirement date.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation: The first statement is incorrect because the OROP scheme requires re-fixing of pensions every five years, not three. The second statement is correct, as the OROP scheme guarantees equal pension for veterans with the same rank and length of service, irrespective of when they retired.
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