Skip to content
Defence Stay

Articles

Blog

Practical articles on defence accommodation, welfare schemes, and benefits for serving personnel, veterans and their families.

CSD

CSD AFD Portal: Registration, Login & Buying Guide

AFD-1 vs AFD-2 items, documents you need, realistic approval timelines, and how to check prices before you order.

Read article
CSD

CSD AFD Portal Login Problems: Password Reset & Fixes

OTP failures, account lockouts, and the mandatory password reset most users hit once.

Read article
CSD

CSD Grocery & Liquor Monthly Entitlement Explained

How the rank-based monthly limit structure actually works, and why we won't quote a number that will go stale.

Read article
SPARSH

SPARSH Pension Portal: Login, Services & Common Problems

What SPARSH actually is, how to log in, and one important warning about fake lookalike links.

Read article
SPARSH

SPARSH Digital Life Certificate: How to Submit Online

The annual proof-of-life requirement every pensioner needs to clear, deadline and all.

Read article
SPARSH

Updating Bank Details, Aadhaar & Next of Kin on SPARSH

Documents needed, realistic timing, and the one scam pattern every pensioner should know.

Read article
Agniveer

Agniveer Seva Nidhi Explained: Payout, Tax Rules & How It Builds

The exact monthly contribution structure and what changes if you exit early.

Read article
Agniveer

Is an Agniveer Eligible for ECHS After 4 Years?

The written rule is clear and hasn't changed — here's exactly what the official scheme document says.

Read article
ECHS

ECHS Smart Card Online Application: Documents, Fees & Process

The official application steps and exact one-time contribution by rank.

Read article
ECHS

ECHS Beneficiary App: Registration, Login & Common Problems

The exact card-number format the app expects, and fixes for OTP and booking issues.

Read article
ECHS

ECHS vs CGHS: What's the Actual Difference?

Who each scheme covers, and an honest look at recent CAG audit findings.

Read article
ECHS

Finding Your Nearest ECHS Polyclinic: How Referrals Work

Polyclinic, Station HQ, empanelled hospital — what each layer does.

Read article
Travel

MCO Quota Train Booking: Step-by-Step Guide

Who can use the Defence Department Quota, and the timing rules that trip people up.

Read article
Pension

Defence Pension Calculation Explained: Formula & Minimum Pension

The actual formula behind your service pension and the guaranteed minimum.

Read article
Pension

Family Pension After Death of a Defence Pensioner

Who qualifies, how the rate is calculated, and the documents needed to claim.

Read article
Pension

Disability Pension: Percentage Bands & Broad-Banding Explained

How the actual assessed disability percentage translates into your final pension band.

Read article
Pay & DA

8th Pay Commission: Impact on Defence Pensioners

What's confirmed versus speculated for defence pensioners right now.

Read article
Pay & DA

Latest DA / DR Hike for Defence Pensioners

How Dearness Relief moves for pensioners, and what a hike actually means for you.

Read article
Rest House

How to Book a Sainik Rest House: Step-by-Step

Most bookings still go by phone through your Zila Sainik Board — here's the real process.

Read article
Welfare

War Widow Pension & Railway Concession

The 75% Second/Sleeper class concession, and how it fits with family pension.

Read article
Resettlement

Ex-Servicemen Resettlement Schemes: DGR Explained

Reemployment sponsorship, subsidised skill training, and self-employment support.

Read article

More resources

Related guidance you may need