What is SPARSH?

SPARSH — System for Pension Administration (RAKSHA) — is the Ministry of Defence's centralised digital pension platform for Armed Forces and Defence Civilian pensioners, run through the Defence Accounts Department. It replaces the older bank-and-paperwork-heavy pension process with a single portal covering sanction, disbursement and ongoing account management. The official site is sparsh.defencepension.gov.in.

How to log in

  1. Go to sparsh.defencepension.gov.in and click Login (top right).
  2. Enter your Username / Personal ID — this is generally your SPARSH PPO number.
  3. Enter your password and the CAPTCHA shown.
  4. Click Login.

First-time users, or anyone who's forgotten their password, can use the "Forgot Password" option and reset via a one-time password sent to their registered mobile number.

What you can actually do once logged in

  • View and download your PPO (Pension Payment Order) and monthly pension slips
  • Download Form-16 and other tax documents
  • Update personal, service, family and bank details
  • Submit your annual digital life certificate
  • Register and track grievances related to payment or benefit issues

Only one official domain exists: sparsh.defencepension.gov.in. SPARSH updates to your profile (including NOK, Aadhaar or PAN details) are only ever initiated by PCDA through banks and Record Offices — never click a link in an SMS or email asking you to "update your SPARSH profile." Treat any other domain claiming to be a SPARSH pensioner portal as fake.

Common login problems

  • Forgotten Personal ID/PPO number: this should be on your original pension documents from your Record Office or bank; contact your Record Office if you've lost it entirely.
  • OTP not arriving for password reset: confirm the mobile number SPARSH has on file is your current number — this is the most common cause.
  • Account locked after multiple failed attempts: use the official unlock/reset flow rather than repeatedly retrying.

Support

SPARSH lists a helpline number (1800-180-5325) and email support, alongside an FAQ section covering registration and identification queries, directly on the portal.

Frequently asked questions

What is my SPARSH login ID?
Generally your SPARSH PPO number, issued when your pension was sanctioned.

Is there more than one official SPARSH website?
No — only sparsh.defencepension.gov.in is official. Be cautious of any other domain.

Can I submit my life certificate through SPARSH?
Yes — see our dedicated guide to submitting your digital life certificate.