The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) recently issued updated guidelines regarding the recording of a government pensioner’s family information, specifically about including the daughter’s name.
Key Provisions in the Guidelines
Rule 50 (15) of CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021
Under Rule 50 (15) of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, a government employee must provide family details to the head of office using Form 4 upon joining government service. This family information includes comprehensive details about the spouse, children, parents, and any disabled siblings, regardless of eligibility for a family pension.
Additionally, before retiring, government employees are required to re-submit their pension documents and an updated family information Form 4.
Clarification on Including Daughter’s Name
After employees retire, some queries have been raised about removing the daughter’s name from family records. The department addressed this in an office memorandum dated October 30, 2024, clarifying that all family members, regardless of eligibility for a family pension, should be listed in the family information.
- Inclusion of Daughter’s Name: The daughter’s name will remain part of the family information as long as it was provided by the employee in the prescribed format. This ensures that the daughter’s name stays in the official records.
- Determining Eligibility for Family Pension: After the pensioner or family pensioner’s passing, eligibility for family pension will be assessed as per the applicable regulations.
Official Statement from DoPPW
The Office Memorandum (OM) from DoPPW, dated October 7, 2022, states:
“The government servant/pensioner shall submit details of all family members, whether or not eligible for family pension. The daughter is considered a family member as long as her details are submitted by the employee in the prescribed proforma. The eligibility for family pension will be determined after the pensioner or family pensioner’s death, according to the existing rules.”
Instructions to Ministries/Departments
To ensure compliance, the DoPPW has instructed all Ministries and Departments to disseminate these regulations to personnel handling pension benefits within their offices and affiliated/subordinate offices. This will help ensure that family records are accurately maintained in accordance with the updated rules.
