Centre Notifies Unified Pension Scheme Rules: What Changes for You?
Govt issues rules for Unified Pension Scheme under NPS. Know enrolment, benefits, and retirement changes for central government employees.
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The Union government has formalised service-related regulations for employees opting for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) within the National Pension System (NPS).
The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, on Thursday issued a Gazette notification introducing the Central Civil Services (Implementation of the Unified Pension Scheme under the National Pension System) Rules, 2025. These rules establish the framework for the scheme’s enrolment, contributions, benefits, and withdrawal procedures.
The notified rules outline:
* Procedures for joining the Unified Pension Scheme.
* The option to switch back from UPS to NPS either one year before superannuation or within three months prior to voluntary retirement.
* Contribution obligations for employees and the central government.
* Compensation norms for delayed registration or non-credit of contributions.
* Entitlement to choose between Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules and UPS provisions in cases of death or disability during service.
* Eligibility for retirement benefits in cases of superannuation, voluntary retirement, premature retirement, medical invalidation, resignation, or absorption in public sector undertakings and autonomous bodies.
* Rules covering compulsory retirement, dismissal, or removal from service.
* Treatment of retirement cases where disciplinary or judicial proceedings are pending.
All India NPS Employees Federation president Manjeet Singh Patel said the revision allowing pensionary benefits after 20 years of continuous service, instead of the earlier 25 years, was a major change welcomed by employees. He noted that this adjustment had been a long-standing demand.
The Unified Pension Scheme operates under the NPS framework and is regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). Its structure is aimed at providing predictable and sustainable retirement income for central government employees.
The scheme applies to eligible serving and retired personnel under prescribed conditions. It was approved by the Centre on August 24, 2025, and came into effect on April 1, 2025.
