J&K Old Pension Scheme has brought relief for certain government employees currently covered under the National Pension System.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has allowed eligible employees to make a one-time switch to the Old Pension Scheme.
The option is available to employees whose recruitment or vacancy advertisement was issued before December 24, 2009, but whose recruitment process was delayed and who eventually joined service on or after January 1, 2010.
J&K Old Pension Scheme Eligibility
The facility is limited to employees who meet the conditions set by the government. Employees currently covered under the NPS can apply if their recruitment or vacancy notification was issued before December 24, 2009.
Their appointment process must have been delayed for a reason, resulting in them joining government service on or after January 1, 2010.
Employees who meet these conditions can exercise the one-time option to move from NPS to OPS, subject to verification and approval by the concerned authorities.
Application Deadline Is December 28
Eligible employees must submit their applications by December 28, 2026. The government has made it clear that this is a one-time opportunity.
Once an employee opts for the Old Pension Scheme, they will not be allowed to return to the National Pension System later. Employees are therefore expected to check their eligibility and understand the applicable conditions before submitting their applications.
How to Apply for OPS
The eligible employee must first submit the application to the respective Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO). The DDO will conduct an initial review before forwarding the application to the concerned Head of Department or appointing authority.
The matter will then be sent to the concerned Administrative Department. Officials will examine the employee’s service records, recruitment process and joining date to determine whether the eligibility conditions have been fulfilled.
If the employee is found eligible, the necessary final order will be issued for inclusion under the Old Pension Scheme.
Decision Approved in September 2026
The proposal for this facility was initiated by the Jammu and Kashmir government and was subsequently approved by the Council of Ministers on September 10, 2026.
Following the approval, eligible NPS-covered employees who meet the specified recruitment and joining conditions have been given an opportunity to seek coverage under the Old Pension Scheme.
The December 28 deadline is important for eligible employees because the option is available only once and cannot be reversed after choosing OPS.
