Last Date to Apply for UPS: Central government employees who are currently enrolled under the National Pension System (NPS) and want to switch to the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) must apply by 30 June 2025.
The UPS was introduced by the central government on 1 April 2025, and it offers a fixed pension. Unlike NPS, UPS provides a guaranteed pension amount.
Eligible employees under UPS will receive 50% of their average basic salary from the last 12 months as pension when they retire, but only if they have completed at least 25 years of service.
Deadline – 30 June 2025
Employees must apply for UPS by 30 June 2025. Those who fail to apply by the deadline will automatically remain under the NPS, which is based on investment returns.
Who Can Apply for UPS?
To be eligible for the Unified Pension Scheme:
The employee must be a Central Government employee currently covered under NPS
Must have completed at least 25 years of service
Must fill out the required form and submit it to the concerned department
What Happens if You Miss the Deadline?
If an eligible employee doesn’t apply by 30 June 2025, they will stay in the NPS by default. Once an employee switches to UPS, they cannot switch back to NPS later.
NPS vs UPS – What’s the Difference?
NPS: Pension amount depends on how the investments perform. The final pension is not fixed.
UPS: Pension amount is pre-fixed. Retired employees will get 50% of their average basic salary from the last 12 months.
Make an Informed Choice
Employees should carefully compare the benefits of NPS and UPS to decide what suits them best.
To help with this, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has launched a UPS calculator. It helps employees estimate their pension under both schemes.
If you want to benefit from UPS, make sure to apply before 30 June 2025.
