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News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
Unified Pension Scheme: Employees Now Eligible For Retirement, Death Gratuity Benefits, Says Minister
Last Updated: Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State for Personnel, says the new provision reflects government's commitment to ensure social security for all categories of employees under NPS. All central government employees part of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) will now be eligible for retirement and death gratuity benefits available under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday. Responding to this long-pending demand by a large section of government employees, he said, the move addresses a significant demand of government staff and brings parity in retirement benefits. Singh, the Minister of State for Personnel, said the new provision reflects the government's commitment to ensure social security for all categories of employees under the National Pension System (NPS). Addressing a presser on the 'transformational" journey of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions over the last 11 years, he highlighted a series of reforms aimed at simplifying governance, empowering citizens, and humanising administration. Central government employees covered under the UPS will now be eligible for retirement and death gratuity benefits, as per the provisions of the Central Civil Services (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules, 2021, Singh said. The Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW), under the Personnel Ministry, on Wednesday issued an order on the 'options to avail benefits under Old Pension Scheme on death of government servant during service or his discharge from government service on account of invalidation or disability for central government servants covered under Unified Pension Scheme". 'The order gives an employee the option to revert to OPS in case of death in service. It is progressive in nature and addresses the clarifications being sought by employees," DoPPW Secretary V Srinivas told PTI. President of the All India NPS Employees Federation, Manjeet Singh Patel, welcomed the order and termed it a historic and much-needed move by the government. Patel said the inclusion of death-cum-retirement gratuity in UPS will remove all the misconceptions of the employees. He said, the inclusion of OPS benefits in case of death or disability of any employee during the service under UPS is a great justice. 'Therefore, a lot of employees will opt for the UPS now," Patel said. The DoPPW had notified the Central Civil Services (Implementation of National Pension System) Rules, 2021, to regulate service-related matters of central government employees covered under the NPS. Under these, Rule 10 provides for the option to be exercised by every central government employee covered under the NPS for availing benefits under the NPS or the Old Pension Scheme in the event of death of a government servant during service or his discharge on the ground of invalidation or disablement. 'UPS has been notified as an option under the NPS. Therefore, it has been decided that the central government civil employees who opt for UPS under the NPS shall also be eligible for option for availing benefits under UPS or the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 or the CSS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 2023 in the event of death of the government servant during service or his discharge on the ground of invalidation or disablement," the order said. The finance ministry, on January 24, issued a notification regarding the introduction of UPS as an option under the NPS for recruits to the central government civil service with effect from April 1, 2025. It gives a one-time option to the central government employees covered under the NPS for inclusion under the UPS. Every central government servant who opts for the UPS under the National Pension System shall, at the time of joining the service, exercise an option in Form 1 for availing benefits under the UPS or under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 or the CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 2023 in the event of his/her death or boarding out on account of disablement or retirement on invalidation, the order said. 'Existing government servants, who have opted for the Unified Pension Scheme under the National Pension System, shall also exercise such option as soon as possible after the notification of these clarifications," it said. In the case of the death of a government servant while in service, the last option exercised by the deceased employee before his death shall be treated as final, and the family shall have no right to revise the option, said the order issued to all central government departments. The DoPPW also issued another order on Wednesday to clarify that the central government employees covered under the UPS shall also be eligible for the benefit of retirement gratuity and death gratuity under the provisions of the Central Civil Service (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules, 2021. DoPPW Secretary Srinivas said this order 'brings parity between the NPS and UPS pensioners and they will be eligible for Rs 25 lakh gratuity also". Both these orders were released by Singh during the conference. What Is Unified Pension Scheme? The Union Cabinet in August 2024 approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), for an assured pension post-retirement. The UPS has been implemented from April 1, 2025. The move comes after the long-pending demand of the central government employees to reform the new pension scheme (NPS). It is the latest pension scheme for government employees. Under the UPS, there will be a provision of a fixed assured pension, unlike the New Pension Scheme (NPS) which does not promise a fixed pension amount. The Unified Pension Scheme has five pillars: Assured Pension: Under the UPS, the fixed pension will be 50 per cent of the average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months prior to superannuation for a minimum qualifying service of 25 years. This pay is to be proportionate for lesser service period up to a minimum of 10 years of service. Assured Family Pension: It will also have an assured family pension, which is 60 per cent of the pension the employee was receiving. It will be given immediately in case of the retiree's demise. Assured Minimum Pension: In the case of superannuation after a minimum 10 years of service, the UPS has a provision of an assured minimum pension of Rs 10,000 per month. Inflation Indexation: There is a provision of indexation benefit on assured pension, on assured family pension and assured minimum pension. top videos View all Gratuity: Lump-sum payment at superannuation in addition to gratuity. It will be 1/10th of the monthly emolument (pay + dearness allowance) as on the date of superannuation for every completed six months of service. This payment will not reduce the quantum of assured pension. (With Inputs from PTI) About the Author Business Desk A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover More Stay updated with all the latest business news, including market trends, stock updates, tax, IPO, banking finance, real estate, savings and investments. Get in-depth analysis, expert opinions, and real-time updates—only on News18. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : National Pension Scheme (NPS) Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 18, 2025, 19:19 IST News business » savings-and-investments Unified Pension Scheme: Employees Now Eligible For Retirement, Death Gratuity Benefits, Says Minister
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Union Minister Jitendra Singh lauds 11 years of Modi govt; says era marked a
New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday lauded the extensive administrative reforms that have reshaped India's governance landscape on the occasion of the completion of 11 years of the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasising their profound socio-economic implications during the time. Speaking to reporters after addressing a conference on '11 years of the transformational journey of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions', Singh underscored the government's focus on leveraging technology to enhance ease of living and governance while also addressing historical injustices and promoting compassionate policies. 'The administrative reforms that happened in the last 11 years were not limited to governance... They had huge socio-economic ramifications. There was an effort to promote ease of living and ease of governance by using technology... PM Modi pledged that the sections of society who did not get complete justice and were deprived of their rights will be taken care of. By ending the British Empire's dubious legacy of getting certificates attested by a gazetted officer, PM Modi sent a huge message that he trusts the youth to take the country's reins in their hands,' the Union Minister stated. 'A provision was brought that despite stillbirth, a woman can get the right to childcare leave and maternity leave... Such reforms have been introduced, which are compassionate and also have the scope for far-reaching impact,' he added. The PM Modi-led NDA government is marking the completion of 11 years in office this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was first sworn in on May 26, 2014, and assumed office for a third consecutive term on June 9 last year. Outlining the 11 years of the transformational journey of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, the Union Minister highlighted a series of reforms aimed at simplifying governance, empowering citizens and humanising administration. He highlighted the announcement that the Central government employees who are covered under the 'Unified Pension Scheme' will now be eligible for retirement and death gratuity benefits, as per the provisions of the Central Civil Service (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules, 2021 and emphasised the government doing away with redundant rules by repealing over 1,600 outdated provisions--many of them colonial-era legacies--as a strong message of trust in citizens, particularly India's youth. Meanwhile, responding to the Congress party's criticism of Indian foreign policy and diplomacy following PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump's telephonic conversation on the sidelines of the G7 summit, Singh dismissed the opposition's stance, saying, 'They (Congress) would not be called Opposition if they don't oppose... We have put figures to compare the situation before 2014 and now... This is an evidence-based figures support the fact that the last 11 years have been a turning point for India, both domestically and internationally. The esteem of Indians has gone up.' (ANI)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Employees under Unified Pension Scheme now eligible for retirement, death gratuity benefits
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New Delhi: All central government employees part of the Unified Pension Scheme UPS ) will now be eligible for retirement and death gratuity benefits available under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on to this long-pending demand by a large section of government employees, he said, the move addresses a significant demand of government staff and brings parity in retirement benefits Singh, the Minister of State for Personnel , said the new provision reflects the government's commitment to ensure social security for all categories of employees under the National Pension System (NPS).Addressing a presser on the "transformational" journey of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions over the last 11 years, he highlighted a series of reforms aimed at simplifying governance, empowering citizens, and humanising government employees covered under the UPS will now be eligible for retirement and death gratuity benefits, as per the provisions of the Central Civil Services (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules, 2021, Singh Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW), under the Personnel Ministry, on Wednesday issued an order on the "options to avail benefits under Old Pension Scheme on death of government servant during service or his discharge from government service on account of invalidation or disability for central government servants covered under Unified Pension Scheme"."The order gives an employee the option to revert to OPS in case of death in service. It is progressive in nature and addresses the clarifications being sought by employees," DoPPW Secretary V Srinivas told of the All India NPS Employees Federation , Manjeet Singh Patel, welcomed the order and termed it a historic and much-needed move by the said the inclusion of death-cum-retirement gratuity in UPS will remove all the misconceptions of the said, the inclusion of OPS benefits in case of death or disability of any employee during the service under UPS is a great justice."Therefore, a lot of employees will opt for the UPS now," Patel DoPPW had notified the Central Civil Services (Implementation of National Pension System) Rules, 2021, to regulate service-related matters of central government employees covered under the these, Rule 10 provides for the option to be exercised by every central government employee covered under the NPS for availing benefits under the NPS or the Old Pension Scheme in the event of death of a government servant during service or his discharge on the ground of invalidation or disablement."UPS has been notified as an option under the NPS. Therefore, it has been decided that the central government civil employees who opt for UPS under the NPS shall also be eligible for option for availing benefits under UPS or the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 or the CSS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 2023 in the event of death of the government servant during service or his discharge on the ground of invalidation or disablement," the order finance ministry, on January 24, issued a notification regarding the introduction of UPS as an option under the NPS for recruits to the central government civil service with effect from April 1, 2025. It gives a one-time option to the central government employees covered under the NPS for inclusion under the central government servant who opts for the UPS under the National Pension System shall, at the time of joining the service, exercise an option in Form 1 for availing benefits under the UPS or under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 or the CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 2023 in the event of his/her death or boarding out on account of disablement or retirement on invalidation, the order said."Existing government servants, who have opted for the Unified Pension Scheme under the National Pension System, shall also exercise such option as soon as possible after the notification of these clarifications," it the case of the death of a government servant while in service, the last option exercised by the deceased employee before his death shall be treated as final, and the family shall have no right to revise the option, said the order issued to all central government DoPPW also issued another order on Wednesday to clarify that the central government employees covered under the UPS shall also be eligible for the benefit of retirement gratuity and death gratuity under the provisions of the Central Civil Service (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules, Secretary Srinivas said this order "brings parity between the NPS and UPS pensioners and they will be eligible for Rs 25 lakh gratuity also".Both these orders were released by Singh during the conference.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Employees under Unified Pension Scheme now eligible for retirement, death gratuity benefits
New Delhi, All central government employees part of the Unified Pension Scheme will now be eligible for retirement and death gratuity benefits available under the Old Pension Scheme , Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday. Responding to this long-pending demand by a large section of government employees, he said, the move addresses a significant demand of government staff and brings parity in retirement benefits. Singh, the Minister of State for Personnel, said the new provision reflects the government's commitment to ensure social security for all categories of employees under the National Pension System . Addressing a presser on the "transformational" journey of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions over the last 11 years, he highlighted a series of reforms aimed at simplifying governance, empowering citizens, and humanising administration. Central government employees covered under the UPS will now be eligible for retirement and death gratuity benefits, as per the provisions of the Central Civil Services Rules, 2021, Singh said. The Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare , under the Personnel Ministry, on Wednesday issued an order on the "options to avail benefits under Old Pension Scheme on death of government servant during service or his discharge from government service on account of invalidation or disability for central government servants covered under Unified Pension Scheme". "The order gives an employee the option to revert to OPS in case of death in service. It is progressive in nature and addresses the clarifications being sought by employees," DoPPW Secretary V Srinivas told PTI. President of the All India NPS Employees Federation, Manjeet Singh Patel, welcomed the order and termed it a historic and much-needed move by the government. Patel said the inclusion of death-cum-retirement gratuity in UPS will remove all the misconceptions of the employees. He said, the inclusion of OPS benefits in case of death or disability of any employee during the service under UPS is a great justice. "Therefore, a lot of employees will opt for the UPS now," Patel said. The DoPPW had notified the Central Civil Services Rules, 2021, to regulate service-related matters of central government employees covered under the NPS. Under these, Rule 10 provides for the option to be exercised by every central government employee covered under the NPS for availing benefits under the NPS or the Old Pension Scheme in the event of death of a government servant during service or his discharge on the ground of invalidation or disablement. "UPS has been notified as an option under the NPS. Therefore, it has been decided that the central government civil employees who opt for UPS under the NPS shall also be eligible for option for availing benefits under UPS or the CCS Rules, 2021 or the CSS Rules, 2023 in the event of death of the government servant during service or his discharge on the ground of invalidation or disablement," the order said. The finance ministry, on January 24, issued a notification regarding the introduction of UPS as an option under the NPS for recruits to the central government civil service with effect from April 1, 2025. It gives a one-time option to the central government employees covered under the NPS for inclusion under the UPS. Every central government servant who opts for the UPS under the National Pension System shall, at the time of joining the service, exercise an option in Form 1 for availing benefits under the UPS or under the CCS Rules, 2021 or the CCS Rules, 2023 in the event of his/her death or boarding out on account of disablement or retirement on invalidation, the order said. "Existing government servants, who have opted for the Unified Pension Scheme under the National Pension System, shall also exercise such option as soon as possible after the notification of these clarifications," it said. In the case of the death of a government servant while in service, the last option exercised by the deceased employee before his death shall be treated as final, and the family shall have no right to revise the option, said the order issued to all central government departments. The DoPPW also issued another order on Thursday to clarify that the central government employees covered under the UPS shall also be eligible for the benefit of retirement gratuity and death gratuity under the provisions of the Central Civil Service Rules, 2021. DoPPW Secretary Srinivas said this order "brings parity between the NPS and UPS pensioners and they will be eligible for ₹25 lakh gratuity also". Both these orders were released by Singh during the conference.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Govt has not abandoned lateral entry to posts, says MoS Jitendra Singh months after UPSC cancelled ad following backlash
Ten months after the government cancelled the recruitment process for lateral entry to posts in various ministries saying that it would review the policy to include reservations, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh said Wednesday that the government has not suspended its lateral entry policy and is still 'open to it'. On August 17, 2024, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) had advertised 45 posts for lateral entry into various ministries. However, the government decided to stop the process after facing backlash, including from BJP ally, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), over the lack of reservations. On August 20, Singh wrote to the UPSC chairperson to cancel the advertisement, which was done the same day. Till then, the government had maintained that reservation in lateral entry posts could not be implemented as they were single-cadre posts. 'It is important that the constitutional mandate towards social justice is upheld so that deserving candidates from marginalised communities get their rightful representation in government services…The Prime Minister is of the firm belief that the process of lateral entry must be aligned with the principles of equity and social justice enshrined in our Constitution, particularly concerning the provisions of reservation,' Singh had written. Asked about the status of the policy while he addressed a press conference on 11 years of the government, Singh said the policy was not suspended. 'We have not suspended it. I think it was started with a very noble intention and it was possible only because we had someone like Prime Minister Modi there, otherwise, such kind of lateral entry, was unknown, the procedures,' he said, adding that the previous governments did not have an objective mechanism for such recruitments. 'We tried to institutionalise it, we tried to make it more objective by routing it through the UPSC,' he said. Asked about the implementation of reservation, he said in appointments of single posts anywhere in the world, 'reservation rule doesn't work. I hope I'm making my point clear.' 'If you say this year I will have reserved category, next year I will have general category, then if you don't find what you need for the particular profession, you will have to wait for years. So that was the principle which was tried to be put across. But some people still needed to have a discussion, so we said we are open to it,' he said. Rachna Shah, secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), said the matter was 'under discussion and active consideration' but added that typically no reservation guidelines can be applied for a single job. 'But nevertheless when this issue came up, we said okay, we'll give it a thought, let us also understand what the options are. We are still open to it. It has not been abandoned,' the minister added. Damini Nath is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. She covers the housing and urban affairs and Election Commission beats. She has 11 years of experience as a reporter and sub-editor. Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she was a reporter with The Hindu's national bureau covering culture, social justice, housing and urban affairs and the Election Commission. ... Read More
