1. The 15-year rule
Pension Regulations for the Army Part I (2008), Regulation 163, states that pensioners who commuted the admissible portion are entitled to restoration of that portion after 15 years.
2. When 15 years runs from retirement/discharge
Regulation 163 says restoration may be reckoned from the date of retirement/discharge where commutation was notified simultaneously with the pension.
3. When 15 years runs from commutation
Where commutation caused reduction in the second or a subsequent month, the regulation says the 15 years are reckoned from the date of commutation—the date on which reduction due to commutation became effective.
4. Find your correct date
Check the PPO/commutation authority and pension statements. Identify the date the reduced pension first became effective rather than estimating from the date the lump sum reached your bank.
5. What to check at restoration
Compare the pension immediately before and after the restoration due date. Check whether the commuted deduction has ceased and whether the basic pension/revisions applicable at that time have been correctly reflected.
6. If restoration does not happen
Keep the PPO, commutation authority and payment statement showing the reduction date. Raise a specific pension-service request/grievance stating the calculated restoration due date and attach the supporting record.
7. Older special restoration cases
DESW’s archive contains historical orders concerning restoration of 43% and 45% commuted portions and later implementation of court decisions. Pensioners affected by those historical categories should use the specific order applicable to them rather than a generic example.
8. Processing time
No single official disposal time should be promised for every restoration correction. Track the specific request and escalate with its acknowledgement/reference if it remains unresolved.
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Official sources
Source review: 10 September 2026.