Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS)

About Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS):

• It was set up in March, 1982 with a view to assisting outstanding Sportspersons of yesteryear, living in indigent circumstances, who had brought glory to the Country in sports.
• The scheme as revised in May, 2016 to provide for lump sum ex-gratia assistance to outstanding Sportspersons of yesteryears.
• It extends to the whole of India.
• The scheme promotes the welfare of the sportspersons generally in order to alleviate distress among them and their dependents.
• The scheme can be administered to active sportspersons individually or collectively as a group.
• Benefits:
  • Assistance to sportspersons living in indigent circumstances:
    • A lumpsum ex-gratia financial assistance subject to a maximum of Rs. 5 lakh. 
    • Monthly pension of Rs. 5000/- to those yesteryears meritorious sportspersons now living in indigent circumstances.
  • Assistance for injuries sustained during training for and participation in Sports competitions: A lumpsum ex-gratia financial assistance subject to a maximum of Rs. 10 lakh.
  • Assistance to Families of deceased Outstanding Sportspersons: A lumpsum ex- gratia financial assistance, not exceeding Rs. 5.00 lakh in each case, may be provided to the families of deceased outstanding sportspersons living in indigent circumstances.
  • Assistance for Medical Treatment: Financial assistance not exceeding Rs. 10 lakh may be provided for medical treatment of an outstanding sportsperson or of any of his/her family members living in indigent circumstances.
  • Assistance to coaches, support personnel, umpires, referees and match officials: Lumpsum financial assistance, not exceeding Rs. 2 lakh, may be provided to coaches and support personnel and to the family members of deceased support personnel who are living in indigent circumstances.
• Eligibility:
  • The applicant must be a Serving or Retired Sportsperson (including sports doctors, sports psychologists, sports mentors, physiotherapists, masseurs, coaches, support personnel, umpires, referees, and match officials).
  • The applicant must have represented India at a National or International Level sports competition.
  • The Annual income of self/family of the applicant (from all sources) must be less than Rs. 4 LPA.
  • The applicant must qualify as one of the following.
    • Injured during the period of their training for competitions and also during the competitions.
    • Disabled as an after-effect of their strenuous training or otherwise.
    • Living in indigent circumstances.
    • Dependent of a deceased sportsperson.

Q1) What is an Ex-gratia assistance?

Ex-gratia assistance is a form of financial or non-financial aid provided voluntarily and without any legal obligation by a government, organization, or individual to individuals or groups facing specific hardships or circumstances. This assistance is typically offered as an act of goodwill or compassion and is not based on any legal or contractual obligation.

Source: Shri Anurag Singh Thakur felicitates players under Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS)