Government Employees Can Return to NPS from OPS

Date: 10 September

The Central Government announced on September 10 that employees who had opted for the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) can switch back to the National Pension System (NPS) one year before retirement or three months before taking voluntary retirement.

Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh, released the new CCS Rules, 2025 on the same day. Along with the notification, he also launched a short film explaining frequently asked questions related to OPS.

This film aims to clarify key aspects of the scheme for employees and pensioners. Dr. Singh described this notification as a significant step toward offering greater flexibility to government employees. They will be given a two-week window to make their choice between NPS and OPS.

To ensure wide awareness, the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) has planned a comprehensive outreach campaign. This includes social media promotions, content on the department’s official YouTube channel, and online/offline workshops across various ministries and departments.

Following the event, Dr. Singh expressed confidence that the scheme would attract interest from all stakeholders.

According to officials, the CCS (Implementation of OPS under NPS) Rules, 2025 notified on September 2 cover various aspects, including how employees can opt in and complete their registration. Importantly, employees who later change their minds are not permanently bound to OPS — they can return to NPS up to one year before retirement or three months before voluntary retirement.