The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) issued a circular on 14 September giving a one-time option to central government employees who joined service on or after 1 April 2025 to choose the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).
This applies to employees who are currently under the National Pension System (NPS) but wish to switch to UPS. The last date to exercise this option is 30 September.
“This option may be exercised up to 30 September in line with the extended deadline already announced for other eligible categories,” the circular stated.
What is the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)?
UPS is available to central government employees covered under NPS, which has been in effect since 1 January 2004.
Employees can choose between staying in NPS or moving to UPS. About 23 lakh government employees are eligible to make this choice.
How to apply for the switch to UPS?
The application form can be downloaded here: http://npscra.nsdl.co.in/ups.php.
The filled form must be submitted to the concerned office before the deadline of 30 September for processing by the nodal office.
Can the form be submitted physically?
Yes. According to another PFRDA circular dated 16 September, if a subscriber cannot submit the form online due to technical issues, they may submit it in physical form even after facing such glitches.
“As the due date for exercising the UPS option is nearing, i.e., 30 September 2025, it is brought to the notice of all subscribers that if, due to reasons such as unavailability of the online system or any technical problem in the CRA system, they are unable to submit the request online by 30 September 2025, they can submit the duly filled physical form to the concerned nodal office on or before the due date for further processing,” the circular clarified.
