No proposal to extend time limit for transition from NPS to OPS: Center

The NPS was introduced in 2003 for central government employees.

There is no proposal to extend the period within which central government employees can switch from the National Pension Scheme (NPS) to the old pension scheme, the Lok Sabha was told on Wednesday.

The NPS was introduced in 2003 for central government employees.

NPS will be mandatory for all new recruits in the Central Government Service from January 1, 2004 (except for the Armed Forces), Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in a written reply to a question.

In compliance with judicial orders, the Department of Pensions and Pensioners’ Welfare has issued directions on March 3, 2023, to provide a one-time option to Central Government servants for inclusion in the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021) who have been appointed to a post or vacancy advertised or announced for recruitment/appointment before the notification for NPS dated December 22, 2003, it said.

The existing procedures provide that it is for the appointing authority of the post within the ministry concerned against which such option has been exercised to examine and decide the applicability of such directions, Singh said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

“Fixed timelines had been laid down for each activity to be carried out for examining and deciding on the options exercised by the employee,” he said, adding that the deadline for filing options by employees was August 31, 2023, while the deadline for examining and deciding on the option by the relevant appointing authority was November 30, 2023.

The minister said there is no proposal to issue further instructions regarding the decision of March 3, 2023.

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First print: Aug 08, 2024 | 12:01 AM IST