Rules, Rights & Rites -67
I usually post all important items related to official rulings, union news, and other general matters on my YouTube channels: Yourskayveeyes (English) and Anbudan Kayveeyes (Tamil).
However, due to the recent spate of orders and the high volume of information being received, I have not been able to convert every item into a video. Therefore, I am introducing these new slots to post current matters and updates that have not yet been published on YouTube. This ensures you stay informed on every detail, even if a video hasn't been made yet …………….Kayveeyes
No question of reverting back to Old Pension Scheme – Govts adamant stand in the Parliament
• In a Lok Sabha starred question answered on August 11, 2025, the Ministry of Finance addressed the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
• The Government of India is not considering a proposal to restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for Central Government employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS).
• The government moved away from the OPS because its fiscal liability was unsustainable.
• The National Pension System (NPS) is a defined contribution-based scheme that was introduced for Central Government employees (excluding armed forces) who joined service on or after January 1, 2004.
• To improve pensionary benefits for these employees, the government formed a committee to suggest modifications to the NPS.
• Based on the committee's work and stakeholder discussions, the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) was introduced as an option under NPS. The UPS's objective is to provide defined benefits after retirement to Central Government employees covered under NPS.
• The features of the UPS, including the definition of "family," were designed to ensure assured payouts while maintaining the fiscal sustainability of the fund.
• Employees who opt for the UPS are also eligible for benefits under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, or the CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 2023, if they die during service or are discharged due to invalidation or disablement.
• The UPS was introduced via a government notification on January 24, 2025, as an option under NPS.
• Under the UPS, an assured payout of 50% of the average basic pay over the twelve months before retirement is admissible after a minimum of 25 years of qualifying service. A proportionate payout would be provided for a shorter qualifying service period.
• In another question on the same day it was asserted that the Government of India has no proposal under consideration to restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for Central Government employees.
• The government moved away from the OPS because its fiscal liability was unsustainable.
• The government is aware that some states have implemented the OPS.
• The following states have implemented the OPS, along with the amount of pension fund in rupees (in crores) that was deposited with the government:
o Chhattisgarh: 22,499.80
o Himachal Pradesh: 11,111.93
o Jharkhand: 14,368.67
o Punjab: 31, 999.43
o Rajasthan: 50,584.11
• There is no provision under the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Act, 2013, or other relevant regulations that allows for the accumulated corpus of subscribers under the National Pension System (NPS) to be refunded and deposited back to the state governments.
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