Section 205(5)(i) in The Navy (Pension) Regulations, 1964
(i)Claims to gratuity preferred after twelve months but within three years of the date on which they fall due shall be admitted in full by the Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions) or Controller of Defence Accounts (Navy), as the case may be: Provided that claims preferred after three years but within five years of such date may, where the explanation for the delay is satisfactory be admitted in full by the said authority.