The government has introduced the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for central government employees who are already part of the National Pension System (NPS).
The new rules were issued on March 19, 2025, and will take effect from April 1, 2025. Employees who want to benefit from this scheme must apply within the given deadline.
What is the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)?
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has introduced the Unified Pension Scheme under National Pension System Regulations, 2025. This scheme is designed for:
Current central government employees under NPS
Newly recruited employees
Retired employees who were part of NPS
Legally married wives of deceased retired employees (if the pensioner had opted for NPS)
Key Features of UPS
The scheme defines important terms like “admissible payout,” “family payout,” and “default pattern.”
It also outlines the responsibilities of mediators to ensure accurate data entry, compliance with PFRDA guidelines, and timely reporting of changes.
Who Can Apply for UPS?
The UPS scheme is available to:
1) Existing central government employees under NPS
2) Newly recruited government employees
3) Retired employees who were previously under NPS
4) Wives of deceased retired employees (if the pensioner was under NPS and had not opted for UPS)
Application Process for UPS
Existing employees must apply within three months from April 1, 2025.
Newly recruited employees must decide within 30 days of joining.
The deadline may be extended if required, but once an employee selects UPS, they cannot change their decision.
How to Apply?
Eligible employees must submit specific forms based on their status:
Form A2 – Existing employees
Form A1 – Newly appointed employees
Form B2 – Retired employees
Form B6 – Wives of deceased pensioners
Submission Methods
Online – Through the CRA portal
Offline – At the head office of the concerned department or via the DDO (Drawing and Disbursing Officer)
Important: If an employee misses the application deadline, they will remain in NPS and will not be able to opt for UPS later.
