OPS, Old Pension Scheme: The government has given a one-time option to a select group of central government employees to opt for the old pension scheme. According to a Personnel Ministry order on Friday, employees who joined central government services before December 22, 2003 are eligible to join the old pension scheme under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972. This option can be exercised by the concerned. Government servants not later than 31st August, 2023.
The decision was taken following representations and court rulings on the matter. As per the order, it was stated that representations were received from Government servants appointed on or after 01.01.2004. These government servants had requested that they be given the benefit of the pension scheme under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021). The reason cited for his request was that his appointment was made against the posts/vacancies which were advertised/notified for recruitment prior to the notification of the National Pension System. The order also referred to the court judgments of various Hon’ble High Courts and Hon’ble Central Administrative Tribunals which granted such benefits to the applicants.
In the light of various representations and judgments of the Court, the matter was examined in consultation with the Departments of Financial Services, Personnel and Training, Expenditure and Legal Affairs.
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The order further states that government employees who are eligible to exercise this option “but who do not exercise this option by the due date” will continue to be covered by the National Pension System. The option once exercised shall be final, and the matter relating to coverage under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, based on the option exercised by the Government servant, shall be placed before the Appointing Authority.
The National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS), a body representing over 14 lakh central and state government employees, lauded the decision. Manjit Singh Patel, head of the Delhi unit of NMOPS, said that this is good news for central government employees. Additionally, Patel said that the central government should amend the existing NPS to ensure that all central government employees are extended the benefits of the old pension scheme.
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The NPS account of government servants opting for the old pension scheme will be closed from December 31, 2023. In case the Government servant fulfills the conditions of coverage under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021), necessary orders will be issued in this regard latest by 31st October, 2023
frequently Asked question:
Q1: Who is eligible to opt for the old pension scheme under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021)?
Government employees who joined the Central Government services before December 22, 2003 are eligible to opt for the old pension scheme under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021).
Q2: What if the eligible Government servant does not exercise the option to join the old pension scheme by 31st August, 2023?
Eligible government servants who do not exercise the option to join the old pension scheme by August 31, 2023, will continue to be covered by the National Pension System.