SPARSH Portal: Empowering Defence Pensioners to Manage Pensions Online

In a significant stride towards digital governance, the Indian government has introduced the SPARSH (System for Pension Administration (Raksha)) portal, a dedicated online platform designed to streamline pension management for defence pensioners. This initiative is part of the broader 'Digital India' campaign, aiming to bring transparency, efficiency, and accessibility to pension administration for the armed forces. With SPARSH, defence pensioners can now manage their pension-related activities online, eliminating the need for cumbersome paperwork and frequent visits to pension offices.

What is SPARSH?

SPARSH, which stands for System for Pension Administration (Raksha), is a web-based platform created by the Ministry of Defence to meet the pension sanction and disbursement requirements for the Indian Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defence Civilians. It acts as a centralized hub, offering a transparent view of a pensioner's account and maintaining a complete history of pension-related events and entitlements from commencement to cessation. The portal's name, SPARSH, reflects its aim to provide pension services at one touch or interface.

Key Features and Benefits

SPARSH offers a wide array of features designed to empower defence pensioners with greater control over their pension management:

• PPO Status Tracking: Pensioners can easily track the status of their Pension Payment Order (PPO) applications, reducing uncertainty and the need for repeated follow-ups. A PPO is a unique 12-digit number that serves as a personal identification for all pension-related transactions.
• Pensioner Database and Personal Profile: Registered pensioners can access and manage their personal information, service details, and family details online. They can also update basic details such as mobile number, bank account number, and PAN.
• Document Management and Uploading: Users can upload necessary documents for PPO processing or updates, such as changes in address or bank details, eliminating the need for offline submissions.
• Pension Slip and Entitlement Information: Pensioners can view and download their pension slips, check basic pension details (including disability elements and gratuity), and access other entitlement information through the portal.
• Grievance Redressal: SPARSH provides a helpdesk module where pensioners can file grievances or service requests, track their progress, and seek resolution.
• Death Gratuity and Family Pension: In the event of a pensioner's demise, nominees can use the portal to track the status and process applications for family pensions and gratuity claims.
• Integration and Automation: SPARSH integrates with banking and treasury systems to synchronize payments and updates. It also facilitates integration with Aadhar, National e-Governance IDs, and banking APIs to reduce manual entry and verification.

How to Access and Use SPARSH

To access SPARSH, pensioners need to visit the official portal and log in using their unique account ID and password, which they receive on their registered mobile number or email. First-time users are advised to change their password immediately after logging in.

Once logged in, pensioners can navigate the portal to access various services, including viewing pension details, downloading documents, updating profile information, and submitting grievances. SPARSH also offers a service center locator to help pensioners find nearby support centers for assistance.

Impact and Future Scope

SPARSH represents a significant step towards modernizing defence pension administration in India. By offering a centralized system with enhanced transparency, convenience, and data integrity, it empowers pensioners to manage their pensions effectively from the comfort of their homes.

The government has been actively working to onboard all defence pensioners onto the SPARSH platform. As of March 2025, nearly 31 lakh out of 32 lakh defence pensioners had been onboarded, with pensions being directly credited to their bank accounts.

Looking ahead, SPARSH has the potential to integrate further with other platforms, such as health, tax, and welfare portals, to provide a unified experience for veterans. The integration of AI-based chatbots and a mobile app version of SPARSH are also being explored to enhance user experience and accessibility.

Recent Updates

In June 2025, SPARSH announced that income and TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) details for the financial year 2024-25 have been processed and uploaded on the TRACES portal. Defence pensioners can now view these details in their Form 26AS statement. Form 16 will be made available on the SPARSH portal shortly.

SPARSH is revolutionizing pension management for defence personnel, offering a user-friendly and efficient platform for accessing and managing pension-related services online. By embracing technology and prioritizing the needs of veterans, SPARSH is ensuring that those who have served the nation receive their retirement benefits in a timely and transparent manner.