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Gauhati HC Upholds AFT Order Granting Second Pension Under Regulation 125, Citing SC's 1-Year Condonation Rule

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
27 May 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:10 months and 2 days shortfall15-year benchmark6% interest on arrears
Bodies:Supreme CourtGauhati High CourtArmed Forces TribunalDefence Security Corps
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What This Article Covers

1.Gauhati HC dismissed the Centre's challenge to an Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) order directing a second pension for a retired DSC personnel short by 10 months.

2.The court relied on a Supreme Court judgment (Union of India vs Balakrishnan Mullikote) which held that a shortfall of one year or less in qualifying service can be condoned under pension regulations.

3.This judgment reinforces welfare-centric interpretation of pension rules and is expected to benefit numerous ex-servicemen with minor service deficiencies in their second stint.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Gauhati High Court has affirmed the right of ex-servicemen to a second pension if their service shortfall is one year or less, based on a recent Supreme Court verdict. This landmark ruling settles a long-standing dispute over pension condonation for retired personnel who serve again in the Defence Security Corps, setting a crucial welfare precedent.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Service Shortfall Condoned10 months and 2 days
Key RegulationRegulation 125, Pension Regulations for the Army, 1961
Supreme Court CaseUnion of India vs Balakrishnan Mullikote
Gauhati HC BenchChief Justice Ashutosh Kumar & Justice Arun Dev Choudhury

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Service Shortfall Condoned: 10 months and 2 days
  • ›Key Regulation: Regulation 125, Pension Regulations for the Army, 1961
  • ›Target this Data: Condonation allowed for a service shortfall of 'one year or less'.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) - the specialized tribunal that first granted relief.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Regulation 125 of the Pension Regulations for the Army, 1961.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which specialized tribunal, established by a 2007 Act, first granted relief in the case of the Army veteran's second pension?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the recent pension case for an Army veteran:

1. The Gauhati High Court dismissed the Centre's petition after the government pressed it in light of a Supreme Court ruling.

2. The Supreme Court held that a second pension through Defence Security Corps is not an independent right but an extension of the first Army pension.

3. The case involved condonation of a service shortfall under Regulation 125 of the Pension Regulations for the Army, 1961.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

For how many months and days was the service shortfall that was condoned for granting the second pension to the retired Defence Security Corps personnel?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary legal principle reinforced by the Supreme Court judgment cited in this case, regarding the interpretation of pension regulations?

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