All about – One Rank One Pension (OROP)

Hello aspirants,

This topic is currently in the news and is very important for your GD, and one must have sufficient information regarding the issue to speak on it. This post will help you understand the topic clearly and assist you in gaining confidence.

1. What is OROP?
    

• One Rank One Pension (OROP) means the payment of the same pension to military officers for the same rank for the same length of service, irrespective of the date of retirement.
• Suppose there are two officers one served the country for 30years (1950-1980) and retired and the other also served the country for 30years(1970-2000) and retired.
• As per the OROP concept, both officers since having the same rank and same length of service should get an equal pension.

2. What's the Issue about?
   

• The present model of pension is that a lieutenant general who retired in 1995 will get a pension that is 10% lower than a colonel who retired after 2006.
• Similarly, a jawan who retired in 1995 will get a pension which is 80% less than his counterpart who retired on or after 1 January 2006.
• The second issue is that of rank pay it affected tens of thousands of serving and retired officers of the three armed forces.
• It started the process of undermining military ranks and making them subordinate to the police. Its discriminatory provisions reinforced the growing sense of distrust between the MOD and the veterans.
• It debased the military ranks of captain, majors, lt-colonel, colonels, and brigadiers, and their equivalent in the air-force and the Indian Navy.

3. How will OROP benefit?

• The shorter period of service of military officers: The defence personnel is made to retire at the age of 33 to 35 years due to the necessity of maintaining a younger army whereas the officer of civil side retires at the age of 60 years.
• It is the moral obligation of the state to look after the welfare of the soldiers who served the nation.
• A lowered pay status compared to the civilian counterparts with less period of service affects the morale of forces.
• The issues, veterans emphasise, are of justice, equity, honour, and national security.

Hope this post will help you understand the topic.

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