Select Central Govt Employees To Get a One-Time Option To Switch and Opt For Old Pension Scheme

A select group of central government employees have been given a one-time opportunity to choose the old pension scheme, according to a Personnel Ministry order. Employees who joined central government services for positions advertised or notified prior to December 22, 2003, the day the National Pension System (NPS) was notified, and under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, are eligible to join the old pension scheme (now 2021). The move was made in response to various representations/references and court decisions in this regard, according to the statement.
Representations have been received...from government servants appointed on or after January 1, 2004, requesting that the benefit of the pension scheme under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021) be extended on the grounds that their appointment was made against posts/vacancies advertised/notified for recruitment prior to notification for the National Pension System, citing court judgements of various Hon'ble High Courts and Hon'ble Central Administrative Tribunals.

It stated that the matter had been examined in consultation with the Departments of Financial Services, Personnel and Training, Expenditure, and Legal Affairs in light of the various representations/references and court decisions in this regard.

Eligibility-

Those central government employees who were appointed to positions or vacancies advertised or notified for recruitment prior to the NPS notification, i.e. on December 22, 2003, are eligible to switch to the old pension scheme from NPS with a deadline.

Last date to Opt for Old Pension Scheme

Employees in the central government who want to switch to the old pension scheme must do so by August 31, 2023. Remember that this is your last chance to use this option.
The order stated that once the option is exercised, it is final. The issue of coverage under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021), based on the government servant's option, shall be brought before the appointing authority.
If a government employee meets the requirements for coverage under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021), such government employees' NPS accounts will be closed as of December 31, 2023.
The National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS), a union representing over 14 lakh central and state government employees, applauded the government's decision.
It's good news for eligible central government workers. We once again request that the central government amend the existing NPS so that the benefits of the old pension scheme can be extended to all central government employees "Manjeet Singh Patel, NMOPS Delhi unit head