Govt issues warning over misleading WhatsApp message on donation to Indian Army

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ministry debunked the message and urged people to "remain cautious and not fall prey to such fraudulent messages"

Hyderabad: The Defence Ministry has cautioned that a “misleading” message is being circulated on WhatsApp claiming that the government has opened a bank account seeking donation for modernisation of the Indian Army.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ministry debunked the message and urged people to “remain cautious and not fall prey to such fraudulent messages”.

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“There is a misleading message doing the rounds on WhatsApp pertaining to donation to a particular bank account for the modernisation of the Indian Army and for the soldiers injured or killed in action,” the statement said.

A WhatsApp message is going around claiming that government has opened a bank account for the modernization of the Indian Army.#PIBFactCheck

❌ This claim is MISLEADING

❌The bank account mentioned in the message is NOT meant for modernization of Indian Army or for purchase… pic.twitter.com/flm2vGe22G

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) April 27, 2025

The message doing rounds on social media quotes that the Cabinet gave its nod for the scheme and the post also includes the name of actor Akshay Kumar saying he is the mastermind behind the idea of donating Re 1 to Indian Army daily.

“The account details in the said message are wrong, leading to online donations getting dishonoured,” it said. The ministry added that the government has “initiated several welfare schemes for soldiers killed or disabled during active combat operations”.

“In 2020, the government instituted ‘Armed Forces Battle Casualty Welfare Fund’ which is utilised for grant of immediate financial assistance to the families of soldiers/sailors/airmen who lay down their lives or get grievously injured in active military operations,” it said.

The Indian Army, on behalf of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence maintains the accounts for the fund. Contribution can be made directly in the account of Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund. Details of the bank accounts are given below:

1st Account
Fund Name Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund
Bank Name Canara Bank, South Block, Defence Headquarters New Delhi – 110011
IFSC Code CNRB0019055
Account No 90552010165915
Type of A/c Saving

2nd Account
Fund Name Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund
Bank Name State Bank of India, Parliament Street, New Delhi – 110011
IFSC Code SBIN0000691
Account No 40650628094
Type of A/c Saving