SAINIK BOARD Registration for Ex-Servicemen in Pune

1.      There are a lot of questions and lack of information about the process of registration of Ex-Servicemen (ESM) with the Zilla Sainik Board at Pune. In this post I explain the following:

• Why you need to register.
• The documents you should keep ready before visiting the website.
• The procedure for registering on the KSB site (Kendriya Sainik Board) 
• The procedure for registering on the ZSB website (Zilla Sainik Board)
• The procedure for returning the Identity Card of deceased ESM or Widows
• The process flow for obtaining the waiver on the PMC property tax. 

2.    Recently the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare has notified that all ESM need to enroll online at the KSB website (it is under maintenance from about May 2025  till now, watch this space for updates). The next step is to register on the state ZSB website. This is required if you want to avail of any benefits from the ZSB like purchase of a car from the canteen, certificates for children's admission, Property Tax benefits etc. For Maharashtra use this link to the ZSB website. The process, although simple enough has its own set of challenges. I have written this blog to try and help make the process smoother, simpler and faster.

3.      An email address and Aadhaar enabled mobile number is required for registration.

4.     You must have some scanned documents ready on your desktop. The file size required is minimum 200 kb, and maximum is 10mb, however it is better to restrict the file size to about 250 – 300 kb except some documents like the Discharge book which has multiple pages. Those that do not have the 'passport-type' of discharge books must apply to the respective Service HQ and get this done. The following scans are required in pdf or jpg or png.

·    Photograph (identity card type with red background for ZSB), otherwise white background is okay. Photograph is required for your dependents also.

·    Aadhaar

·    PAN Card

·    Discharge book/ Certificate of service in booklet form

·    Documents regarding Gallantry Awards if applicable

·    PPO with wife’s name and date of birth

·   Pension passbook first page.

·    ECHS card (front only)

·     ESM identity card if issued by ZSB

·  School leaving certificate located in Maharashtra (useful for getting benefits for Maharashtra domiciled ESM)

·     Domicile certificate for 15 years after retirement (Required to apply for benefits for Maharashtra domiciled ESM).

·     Additionally, in case of widow’s registration,   the death certificate of the pensioner.

5.        First visit the KSB website (it is under maintenance since May 2025). The process of registration at the KSB is fairly straightforward. After completing the registration with all details filled in, download the pdf form that is generated. The login ID will be your email address, and password is something you have to remember. (Security tip - the password for the email and the password to the KSB website must be different). The download pdf has to be printed, signed and taken with you when you visit the ZSB. Enter the dependent details here also since you will require an identity card for them too.

6.  Once this is done, visit the ZSB website and choose the option for ESM or dependent or widow as applicable. (Pro-tip sometimes the OTP takes a long time, and you might need to try multiple times. Go straight down to the ‘Generate OTP’ box and validate the mobile number. Once validated, you can start entering the other details from the top like name, service details etc). The website generates a two-page pdf that you need to download and print. Subsequent log in is by an OTP on your mobile number. 

7. Armed with the two printouts, the originals and a photocopy of all the documents that you have submitted online, you have to visit the Zilla Sainik Welfare Office on the 4th floor of the New Administrative Building  https://maps.app.goo.gl/PTHVfvU4oKvR53gE9

8.  There is a working lift to the 4th floor. At one of the two windows at the Sainik Board, you need to verify the copies with the originals. It makes sense to submit a masked Aadhaar printout instead of a full Aadhaar. Although the process is supposed to be ‘digital’ and you have uploaded all the scans, they still need you to submit photocopies of all the documents uploaded.

9.  For the identity card, the photo has to be stamp sized with a red background. Nothing else will do!!

10. Once you emerge victorious from the visit, you have to wait until your identity card is ready. Only once this is done, you can apply to claim the PMC Property Tax exemption (as per eligibility).

11. Property Tax process. Carry a printout of your property tax bill which looks like this. At the ZSB you have to purchase two forms from the counter and fill them in. Carry loose change, about 5 to 10 rupees.  Gpay doesn’t work. There is one pink form on which the ZSWO signs and returns to you for submission to the PMC (a sample is here, but you need the original). The white form is actually your application to the ZSWO for the exemption, and you can download it here if you like, but they will give you the whole set. I have provided links to both, so you have an idea of what information is required.

12. Before visiting the PMC for exemption, download this form, print and fill, a photograph has to be pasted on the form and it is not always readily available at the ZSB office. Take a photocopy for acknowledgement. Submit the following at the PMC central registry on the ground floor of the main building: 

• Pink form signed by the ZSB
• The PMC application with photograph that you have downloaded. 
• A copy of your last Property Tax bill. 
• This office is situated next to the ATM on one ground floor of the wings in the main building in case you want to have the form checked.
• The process takes some time, but if everything is okay, your next property tax bill will reflect the changes.

13.  Widow registration. In order to get a widow’s identity card you have to return the ESM I card. For this, fill out a form and submit the deceased ESM's identity card at the ZSB. Download and print and fill out the form located here. (Keep a photocopy, for acknowledgement from ZSB after submission)

14. Dependent identity cards. There is a form you need to print and fill out. This is not readily available at the ZSB, so you should download a copy from here.

15.  Other facilities like admission certificates etc. 

• Information on other services / facilities for ex-servicemen are put up on the notice board at the ZSB Office. This includes monetary awards, scholarships etc.
• I have not gone through the process for other applications like scholarships, ESM certificates for children recently, hence, I cannot help in that aspect. 

16. Sewa Centre. In the adjoining building (behind the ZSB office with paid parking available), there are a few ESM owned and privately run Seva Centres that can help with all the paperwork and they seem to be able to handle a lot of services like application for Canteen cards, ECHS cards, education and others.  

I hope this helps to some extent in visiting the site prepared and avoid making multiple trips. Do comment, and also update in the comments section if you have any experience that I can add here to help others. A sign-in is not required.

 

Jai Hind!