I’m an 18 year old NEET aspirant, and I honestly didn’t expect that alongside preparing for one of the toughest exams, I’d also be dealing with something like this.

I lost my father last year. He was a retired railway employee, and he was the only parent I had. Since then, everything has been difficult emotionally and financially. I’m still studying and was completely dependent on him.

For the past one year, I’ve been trying to get family pension, and all of this has been handled through the DRM (Personnel) office.
But the entire process has been exhausting and frustrating.

I’ve had to visit the DRM office multiple times, and every time it’s the same pattern:

-They don’t tell me all the required documents at once
-I keep getting asked to bring something new each visit
-I’ve been called repeatedly without clear guidance

There’s been no proper support or communication
It feels like I’ve just been going in circles for months.
And now, after all this time, my application has been rejected.

The reason?
I’m an adopted son, and they said there are “no guidelines” for giving family pension to an adopted child.

That’s it.

No consideration of the fact that:

-I’m below 25
-I’m unmarried
-I was fully dependent on my father
-I have no other parent

What hurts the most is that legally, an adopted child is supposed to be treated the same as a biological one. My father raised me, supported me, and did everything a parent does. But now it feels like none of that matters on paper.

Instead of being able to focus on my NEET preparation or even properly deal with losing him, I’ve spent the last year:

-Running around the DRM office
-Making calls
-Writing applications
-Trying to understand rules I never thought I’d need to

It’s been mentally exhausting and really stressful.
I’m not asking for anything extra just what any dependent child in my situation should receive.

If anyone here has dealt with something similar especially with railway pension cases or adopted child issues I’d really appreciate any advice on what I should do next.