Central Government Employees can join Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) till 30 June, PFRDA issues new Notice
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has announced that eligible Central government employees will have until June 30 to join the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). This new pension scheme will officially begin on April 1. Click here to open UPS Calculator.
The UPS is designed to provide retirement benefits to government employees, offering a more streamlined and unified system for managing pensions. Employees who are eligible for this scheme should make sure to complete the joining process by the end of June to take advantage of its benefits. The scheme will be fully operational starting from April 1, and employees can expect to start contributing towards it from that date.
This move aims to simplify and improve the pension system for Central government employees, ensuring that they have a secure financial future after retirement.
Who can join UPS?
According to the PFRDA’s notification, three categories of central government employees will be able to enrol in UPS:
- An existing central government employee in service as on April 1, 2025, who is covered under NPS
- New recruit in the central government services, who joins service on or after April 1, 2025
- A central government employee who was covered under NPS and who has superannuated or voluntarily retired or has retired under Fundamental Rules 56(j) on or before March 31, 2025 and is eligible for UPS or the legally wedded spouse in case of a subscriber who has superannuated or retired and has demised before exercising the option for UPS.
How to apply for UPS?
According to the notification, employees will be able to apply for UPS from April 1 through the website of Protean CRA (https://npscra.nsdl.co.in).
Enrolment and claim forms for all these categories of central government employees will be available online from April 1, 2025 on website of Protean CRA.
Employees will also have the option to submit the forms physically.
When to apply for UPS?
Existing employees will get three months to switch from NPS to UPS. They will be able to apply later only if the government extends the deadline.
New employees can join UPS within 30 days from the date of joining Central Government services.
However, before opting for UPS, employees should ensure that they have properly considered their decision as they won’t be able to go back to NPS.
“The option once exercised shall be final and irrevocable,” PFRDA said in the notification.
