UPSC: Now Eligible for Death and Retirement Gratuity Benefits
On June 18, Central Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh announced that all central government employees under the Integrated Pension Scheme (UPS) will now be eligible for retirement and death gratuity benefits available under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). This decision comes in response to long-standing demands from government employees and aims to bring uniformity in retirement benefits.
Government’s Commitment to Social Security
He emphasized that the new provision reflects the government's commitment to ensuring social security for employees under the National Pension System (NPS). Addressing a press conference on the 11-year "transformational" journey of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, Jitendra Singh highlighted a series of reforms aimed at simplifying governance, empowering citizens, and making administration more responsive.
Key Announcement on Gratuity Benefits
Jitendra Singh confirmed that under the Integrated Pension Scheme, central government employees will now be eligible for retirement and death gratuity benefits in accordance with the provisions of the Central Civil Services (Gratuity under the National Pension System) Rules, 2021.
New Options for Employees
The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, under the Ministry of Personnel, issued an order on June 18, granting central government employees covered under the Integrated Pension Scheme the option to avail of benefits under the Old Pension Scheme in case of death or disability during service.
Progressive Nature of the Order
V. Srinivasan, the Secretary of the Department, mentioned, "This order gives an employee the option to revert to the Old Pension Scheme if they pass away during service. It addresses the clarifications that employees had requested." This decision is seen as progressive and addresses the demands of the employees.
No Plans to End Lateral Entry Appointments
Jitendra Singh further clarified that the government has no plans to end lateral entry appointments. These appointments allow experts from the private sector and other fields to join the government departments. He emphasized that this initiative is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to improve governance.
Controversy over Lateral Entry
Last August, UPSC had canceled its advertisement for filling senior positions through lateral entry due to a political controversy regarding the lack of reservation provisions for OBC, SC, and ST categories. The UPSC had initially advertised for 45 positions (10 Joint Secretaries and 35 Directors/Deputy Secretaries) to be filled through lateral entry.