The Central Government is taking a significant step towards easing the retirement process for its employees by introducing a new, simplified pension application form. The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) announced that the updated “Form 6-A” will be officially launched on August 30, 2024. This initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to streamline and modernize the pension application process, making it more user-friendly and efficient.
What’s New with Form 6-A?
The new Form 6-A is designed to simplify the process for central government employees who are set to retire from December 2024 onwards. According to an official statement, this form will be available online through Bhavishya and e-HRMS platforms. These are digital modules that central government employees use for various HR-related tasks.
- For Employees Using e-HRMS: Those who are currently using the e-HRMS system will be required to fill out Form 6-A directly through this platform. This applies specifically to employees retiring due to superannuation.
- For Employees Not Using e-HRMS: Employees who are not on e-HRMS can access and fill out Form 6-A through the Bhavishya platform.
Key Features of the New Form
The launch of this new form is part of the Centre’s “maximum governance-minimum government” policy, which focuses on reducing bureaucratic processes and making governance more efficient. Here are some key highlights:
- Integration with Bhavishya/e-HRMS: The form will be integrated with existing online platforms, ensuring that the entire pension process, from application to payment, is handled digitally.
- Consolidation of Forms: A total of nine different forms and formats have been merged into this single form. This consolidation is expected to reduce confusion and make the process easier for retiring employees.
- End-to-End Digitization: The introduction of Form 6-A is a significant move towards fully digitizing the pension process. Once submitted, the pension application will be processed digitally, all the way through to the start of pension payments after retirement.
- User-Friendly Interface: The new form is designed with a pensioner-friendly interface. This means that retirees no longer need to worry about missing or incorrectly filling out forms, as the system will guide them through the process.
Moving Towards a Paperless Process
One of the major advantages of this new system is the move towards a paperless process. By digitizing the entire pension application and approval process, the government aims to reduce paperwork and make the system more efficient. This change is expected to be a “game changer,” simplifying the submission process for employees and ensuring that pension payments start promptly after retirement.
Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, Jitendra Singh, will officially launch the new form and its integration with the Bhavishya/e-HRMS platforms on August 30, 2024. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the retirement experience for central government employees.
In conclusion, the introduction of the new Form 6-A is a welcome change for central government employees approaching retirement. It simplifies the process, reduces paperwork, and ensures that retirees can focus on enjoying their post-retirement life without worrying about the complexities of pension applications.
