Direct answer
The starting date depends on entitlement, policy, any previously sanctioned pension and the relief actually due. Neither a universal three-year cap nor an unconditional promise of full historical arrears is accurate.
Legal position and important distinctions
In Union of India v. Sgt Girish Kumar, 2026 INSC 149, decided on 12 February 2026, the Supreme Court removed the three-year restriction in the relevant disability-pension/broad-banding cases. Paragraphs 21–23 importantly concern policy, Ram Avtar and recomputation of pension already being received. Relief to the appellants ran from the applicable 1 January 1996 or 1 January 2006 date with 6 percent interest; those dates and rate are not automatic entitlements for every claimant.
Why a month-wise calculation matters
Original pension, revisions, broad banding, dearness relief and earlier arrears payments may change within one claim period. State the due amount, payment and balance for each segment. Sanction and entitlement commencement can differ. The sanction date is not necessarily the first payable month: examine the order’s effective date and individual eligibility.
Separate three legal questions
Is the underlying entitlement accepted or disputed? Is the application timely or does it require condonation? For which period are arrears payable on the accepted right? When a court removes a restriction for a particular policy class, compare that class with the actual claim. The rate, commencement and method of interest must follow the operative order or applicable law.
Account for money already received
Disclose earlier arrears, partial payments and revised PPOs. Claim the outstanding balance rather than repeating a gross amount already partly paid. For a late application, explain treatment, incapacity, knowledge and earlier steps through a truthful supported chronology.
Practical steps
- Compare original and revised PPOs with the pension commencement date.
- Prepare a policy-based month-wise due-versus-paid statement.
- Match the facts to Girish Kumar and plead arrears, interest and delay separately.
Documents to collect
- Original and revised PPOs
- Month-wise bank payments
- Earlier orders, policy and delay explanation
Hypothetical illustration
An existing disability element requires a broad-banding correction. That differs from reopening a first-time entitlement rejected twenty years earlier.
Avoid this mistake
Explain the decision’s factual scope as well as its holding, and do not ignore an independent limitation issue.
Official sources
- Union of India v. Sgt Girish Kumar, 2026 INSC 149, 12 February 2026 — particularly paragraphs 15–23
- Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 — sections 2, 3(o), 14–15, 19, 21–24, 29–32
- DESW order dated 27 December 2023 — rounding off and broad banding
Legal disclaimer
This article provides general legal information and the author’s general analysis, not individual legal advice. Reading it does not create an advocate–client relationship or guarantee an outcome. Rules, policies and judgments can change. Before acting, obtain qualified advice on your documents, applicable dates, jurisdiction and time limits.
Source check: 1 November 2026.