Introduction 

Jai Hind! I’m Lt Col RK Bhardwaj (Retd), fighting for over 30 lakh Indian Ex-Servicemen affected by the SPARSH Pension Portal’s failures. Since its rapid rollout, 50% of aged, less-educated, non-tech-savvy veterans in remote villages can’t access pensions due to glitches, delays, and PCDA Pensions’ inaction. Despite warnings since October 2024, resolutions crawl while Veterans suffer. We demand MoD and CGDA act: let Seniors opt for banks, deploy Armed Forces technocrats to fix SPARSH, or Replace negligent staff. Nation must honor our heroes.

Despite these challenges, the Raksha Mantri Award for Excellence was awarded in 2022 to CGDA and PCDA(P) for developing and implementing SPARSH, and in 2024 to PCDA(P) for achieving a milestone in redressing grievances (30 lakh linked). Yet, many grievances remain unresolved or are forwarded to Record Offices, some pending over a year, while 50% of veterans still can’t access pensions in 2025 due to delays and glitches.

Lt Col Ranjan Kumar, OIC DPCC PCDA(P) Prayagraj (posted by MP-5 AG’s Br), revealed in an October 19, 2024, presentation at Surya Auditorium, Lucknow that during SPARSH’s 2023 migration, about 6.5 lakh pensioners  (Appx 25% of total) were left with unresolved ‘As_Is’ cases: Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) not generated, Additional Age Pensions delayed even after date-of-birth updates, incorrect pension types, difficulties processing family pensions, and unpaid arrears. Despite MoD directing CGDA to fix this, veterans continue to suffer.  

Journalist @manaman_chhina - tweeted on March 17, 2025, ‘What a shame! Giving award for an abject failure like SPARSH!’—echoing our pain and the mockery of these awards for a system failing our heroes who sacrifice their lives for India’s safety and integrity.  

Sign this petition to urge @SpokespersonMoD  @DefenceMinIndia    @DefenceAccounts  and   @PMOIndia

to resolve this crisis. Visit #SPARSHFailsVeterans on X: [ https://x.com/RajKuma35152604/status/1899452788360556906?t=mckAQiOvkTzXhBOaPHwB0g&s=19 ].

Petition Text 

India’s Ex-Servicemen sacrificed their youth and families for our Nation’s safety. Yet, the SPARSH (System for Pension Administration Raksha) Portal, launched to streamline Defence Pensions, has failed us. Since February 2025, our #SPARSHFailsVeterans campaign highlights:

50% of Pensioners—elderly, non-tech savvy, in small towns/villages—can’t log in due to digital barriers.

PCDA Pensions holds Data but burdens Pensioners and Record Offices, delaying fixes for 30 lakh+ veterans.

Rapid, untested migration (noted by Lt Col Ranjan Kumar, OIC DPCC PCDA Pensions Prayagraj on 19 Oct 24) left Seniors struggling, with no action despite emails since March 2025.

We demand:

Immediate action by MoD and PMO to fix SPARSH, ensuring pension access for all ex-servicemen, especially aged, non-tech, and rural veterans.

An immediate audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to uncover the truth behind SPARSH’s failures and recommend solutions. 

Reinforce PCDA(P) with resources, 24/7 support, and Armed Forces technocrats to resolve delays and glitches. 

Allow pre-2016, over-60, and family pensioners to opt out of SPARSH and revert to bank payments. 

Media scrutiny (e.g., MP Sagarika Ghose’s Rajya Sabha question, 10 Mar 25) shows public concern. Sign and share to Request MoD, CGDA and PMO to act swiftly. Our veterans deserve better—join us!

Target:

Sh Narendra Modi ji ; Hon'ble Prime Minister,    Sh Rajnath Singh Ji ; Hon'ble Defence Minister, Sh Rajesh Kumar Singh ; Defence Secretary,  Sh SG Dastidar ; Financial Adviser (Defence Services), Dr Mayank Sharma ; CGDA

Call to Action: “Sign now to demand justice for India’s Ex-Servicemen—fix SPARSH and honor their sacrifice!”