There is great news for Central Government Employees. The deadline for applying for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) has been extended. Now central employees will be able to use it till 30 September 2025. Earlier its last date was 30 June 2025, which has been extended for 3 months. UPS scheme is for those central employees who currently come under the National Pension System (NPS) and want a fixed monthly pension after retirement.
The Government of India issued the notification of this scheme on 24 January 2025. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has issued rules for implementing the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), which have become effective from 1 April 2025.
Who can join this scheme
The following categories are eligible to avail of the UPS scheme. Serving Employees: Central government employees who are in service on 1 April 2025 and are covered under NPS. Employees who join Central government service on or after 1 April 2025. They have to inform within 30 days of joining whether they want to take UPS or not.
Central government employees who were covered under NPS and retired on or before 31 March 2025, who took voluntary retirement, or who retired under Rule 56 (j) are also eligible for UPS. If an employee passes away before opting for UPS after retirement, his legally married wife/husband can join this scheme.
How to apply for UPS
Application forms for all categories of central government employees eligible for UPS have been made available online on the Protein CRA website https://npscra.nsdl.co.in from 1 April 2025. Employees can also fill out the form and submit it themselves. Its last date is 30 September 2025. New people who will join the job will have to tell within 30 days of joining whether they want to take UPS or not.
Which form for which category
Different forms have been created for different people to apply for UPS:
If you are currently doing a government job, then you have to fill out Form A2.
If you have recently joined a government job, then you have to fill out Form A1.
If you are a retired government employee, then Form B2 is for you.
If a pensioner has died, then his wife can apply by filling out Form B6.
Offline Application Option
You can also apply offline. To apply offline, you have to submit the form through your Head Office or Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO). Note, if an eligible employee does not apply within the stipulated time limit, he will not get the benefit of UPS and will remain in NPS as before.
UPS vs NPS Benefits
UPS is designed similarly to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), which provides a fixed and guaranteed pension instead of the market-based performance of NPS.
UPS guarantees a fixed monthly pension after retirement, which is based on the last salary of the employee. Pension in NPS depends on market performance.
UPS is free from market risks, while investment in NPS is subject to market fluctuations.
Dearness Allowance (DA) will be applicable on pension in UPS, while there is no such provision in NPS.
UPS includes better family pension and gratuity benefits, which are similar to OPS.