Simply 1.35% of govt workers enrolled in NPS have opted for UPS: RTI information
The federal government’s Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), launched to offer assured pensions for presidency workers, has seen a tepid response, with only one.35 per cent of the workforce opting to modify from the prevailing Nationwide Pension System (NPS), as revealed in an unique Proper to Info (RTI) response obtained by India At present.
Based on information from the Pension Fund Regulatory and Growth Authority (PFRDA), simply 30,989 out of roughly 23 lakh workers enrolled in NPS have adopted the brand new scheme as of July 20. Individually, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on July 28, the Finance Ministry knowledgeable that as of July 20, a complete of 31,555 workers had opted for the scheme.
The remaining eligible employees appear both content material with NPS’s flexibility and tax perks or are skeptical.
This cautious reception is what probably prompted the federal government to increase the deadline for opting into the UPS. Initially set for June 30, the deadline has been postponed to September 30, in hopes of accelerating participation charges. Failure to modify inside this timeframe will end in workers remaining with the NPS indefinitely.
The UPS was launched on April 1, 2025, providing a mix of options from each the terminated Previous Pension Scheme (OPS) and the present NPS. It guarantees a minimal pension of Rs 10,000 for workers with no less than ten years of service, and a assured pension of fifty% of the common fundamental pay from the earlier 12 months, with inflation-linked changes. Regardless of its advantages, workers seem hesitant to embrace the brand new system.
SB Yadav, Secretary Basic of the Confederation of Central Authorities Staff & Employees, defined: “Staff comparatively desire OPS; they’re inclined in direction of that solely. They need a non-contributory, outlined, statutory pension plan.”
UPS was launched, conserving in thoughts political issues, aimed toward countering opposition narratives and discontent amongst authorities workers in states the place OPS was reinstated. By providing UPS, the federal government sought to current a pro-employee picture and retain favour amid rising calls for for OPS reinstatement.
Prof AK Bhagi, president of the Delhi College Academics’ Affiliation, voiced considerations: “The Authorities of India has not prolonged the choice of the College Pension Scheme (UPS) to College of Delhi workers, citing its standing as an autonomous physique. Nor has it supplied the choice to modify to the Previous Pension Scheme (OPS) within the occasion of an worker’s demise – a profit out there to Central Authorities workers.”
With key variations between OPS, NPS, and UPS, workers face tough decisions. Whereas NPS gives flexibility and is reliant on market returns, OPS gives fastened advantages. UPS, in the meantime, goals to stability fiscal self-discipline with worker safety, although its reception has been lukewarm to date. The scheme’s combined reception highlights the advanced issues workers should weigh.
PFRDA, in response to India At present’s particular queries, clarified that month-wise and state-wise breakups within the variety of workers who’ve opted for the UPS because the choice to modify was notified will not be at the moment maintained or out there of their official data. Equally, relating to officers from the All-India Companies – together with IAS, IPS, and IFS – the PFRDA said that no such information is tracked or compiled individually at their finish. Consequently, solely cumulative figures on the nationwide stage are presently supplied, and extra granular breakdowns as requested will not be furnished within the regulator’s official responses.
