There is very good news for central employees. The central government has notified the rules related to the benefits under the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). This information has been given in a statement issued by the Ministry of Personnel. The new rules provide for enrollment in the pension scheme, the facility of switching from NPS to UPS, and most importantly, to get the benefit of pension only after 20 years of regular service instead of 25 years. This decision will prove to be a historic step for lakhs of employees.
What are the provisions in the new rules
These rules have been explained in detail in the notification of the Ministry of Personnel. Employees can switch from NPS to UPS one year before their retirement or three months before voluntary retirement (VRS). It has a provision for contribution from both the employee and the government, compensation for delay in registration, and benefits in case of death or disability during service have also been clarified. It also clarifies the benefits of retirement due to various reasons, such as superannuation, premature or voluntary retirement, disability, resignation, or forced retirement.
Pension will be available after 20 years of service
This news is most important for the employees. Till now, employees had to complete 25 years of regular service for a pension, but now this period has been reduced to 20 years. This is a big and historic step taken in the interest of the employees. Manjit Singh Patel, National President of All India NPS Employees Federation, welcomed this notification and said that the provision of retirement on 20 years of service instead of 25 years will really prove to be a historic milestone in the direction of employee welfare.
He said that such an amendment in UPS was very necessary after the implementation of the new scheme. The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet on August 24 last year, and the Department of Financial Services notified it on January 24. UPS has been implemented since April 1, 2025. With this decision, employees will not only get a pension early, but their future will also become more secure.