New Delhi: The Government of India has introduced a new option under the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for central government employees currently enrolled in the National Pension System (NPS).
This new scheme, effective from April 1, 2025, offers an assured pension after retirement, giving employees more financial security.
The Finance Ministry has set September 30, 2025 as the last date to opt for UPS. After this, those who stay with NPS will not be allowed to shift to UPS later.
What is the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)?
The Unified Pension Scheme is a new pension option under the NPS framework. It is designed specifically for central government employees and ensures a guaranteed monthly pension after retirement.
Unlike NPS, which is market-linked and may have fluctuating returns, UPS offers a minimum assured pension of ₹10,000 per month, provided the employee has completed at least 10 years of service.
UPS vs NPS: Key Differences
| Feature | NPS | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Returns | Market-linked (variable) | Fixed (guaranteed) |
| Risk | Moderate to High | Low |
| Assured Pension | ❌ | ✅ ₹10,000/month minimum |
| Flexibility | Higher | Lower (final once opted) |
Who is Eligible to Switch to UPS?
Only central government employees currently under NPS can opt for UPS. The eligibility conditions are:
You must be a serving central government employee as of April 1, 2025
You must already be enrolled under the NPS
You must choose to switch to UPS before September 30, 2025
How to Switch from NPS to UPS (Online Process)
- You can switch through the eNPS portal using the following steps:
Visit the eNPS Portal
Go to the official site
Select “NPS to UPS Migration” under the UPS section
Enter Your Details
PRAN (Permanent Retirement Account Number)
Date of Birth
Captcha → Click “Verify PRAN”
OTP Verification
OTP will be sent to your registered mobile/email
Enter it to proceed
Accept the Declaration
Tick the acceptance box
Click “Proceed to e-Sign“
Note: This choice is final and cannot be changed later
e-Sign Using Aadhaar
Enter Aadhaar or Virtual ID
Receive and verify OTP
Get Confirmation
You’ll receive an Acknowledgement Number
Download the e-signed migration form for records
How to Apply for UPS Offline
- If you prefer the manual process:
Download Form A2 from the NSDL UPS Portal
Fill the form and get it verified by your Head of Office
The form is submitted through this route:
DDO → PAO/CDDO → CRA (Central Recordkeeping Agency)PRAN will be generated
The first contribution must be made within 20 days of application or joining
Family Pension Under UPS
- If the pensioner passes away after retirement, the legally wedded spouse (at the time of retirement) will get a family pension equal to 60% of the last pension drawn.
- This applies to retirements under:
Superannuation
Voluntary Retirement
Retirement under FR 56(j)
Important Dates to Remember
UPS Effective From: April 1, 2025
Last Date to Switch: September 30, 2025
After this date, switching will not be allowed
If you’re a central government employee looking for a stable and assured pension, UPS could be a good option. Just make sure to complete the process before the deadline.
