**Executive Summary**
This circular, issued by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) on October 6, 2025, announces an extension of the cut-off date for exercising the option of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) under the National Pension System (NPS). The cut-off date has been extended by two months, up to November 30, 2025. This extension applies to existing Central Government employees, eligible past retirees, and legally wedded spouses of deceased past retirees covered under NPS.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Extension of Cut-off Date:**
* The deadline for exercising the option for UPS under NPS is extended to November 30, 2025.
* **Applicability:**
* The extension applies to:
* Existing Central Government employees in service as of April 1, 2025, who are covered under NPS for migration to UPS from NPS.
* Central Government employees covered under NPS who have superannuated, voluntarily retired, or retired under Fundamental Rules 56 (j) on or before March 31, 2025.
* Legally wedded spouses in cases where a subscriber has superannuated, retired, and passed away before exercising the UPS option.
* **Regulatory Basis:**
* The circular is issued under Section 14 of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 2013.
* This is in reference to Regulation 3 (2) (i) of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Operationalisation of the Unified Pension Scheme under National Pension System) Regulations, 2025 dated March 19th, 2025.
**Impact Analysis**
**PrAOs, PAOs, DDOs of Central Government**
* **Impact:** Notification of the employees and taking necessary action regarding the extended date.
* **Action Required:** Disseminate the information to the concerned employees and process applications accordingly.
**Existing Employees, Eligible Past Retirees, and Legally Wedded Spouses of Deceased Past Retirees of Central Government covered under National Pension System (NPS)**
* **Impact:** An additional two months to decide and exercise their option for UPS under NPS.
* **Action Required:** Evaluate their options and submit the necessary documentation before the extended deadline of November 30, 2025.
**DTAs, DTOs, DDOs of State Government with respect to AIS officials**
* **Impact:** Notification of the concerned officials and taking necessary action regarding the extended date.
* **Action Required:** Disseminate the information to the concerned officials and process applications accordingly.
**The Central Recordkeeping Agencies (CRAs)**
* **Impact:** To make necessary modification to the system and the application process.
* **Action Required:** Ensure the system is updated to reflect the extended deadline and process applications received within the extended timeframe.
**National Pension System Trust**
* **Impact:** Oversee and ensure compliance with the new deadline.
* **Action Required:** Monitor the implementation of the extended deadline and ensure adherence to the updated guidelines.
Key Entities Referenced
National Pension System (NPS): A retirement savings scheme for Indian citizens, including government employees.
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA): The regulator for pension funds in India.
Unified Pension Scheme (UPS): A pension scheme under NPS.
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 2013: The act that established the PFRDA and governs pension funds in India.
New Delhi: Location of PFRDA office.
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PENSION FUND REGULATORY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Circular
Circular No: PFRDA/2025/14/SUP-CG-SG/06 October 06, 2025
To, |
The PrAOs, PAOs, DDOs of Central Government,
Existing Employees, Eligible Past Retirees and the Legally wedded Spouses of
Deceased Past Retirees of Central Government covered under National Pension
System (NPS)
The DTAs, DTOs, DDOs of State Government with respect to AlS officials,
The Central Recordkeeping Agencies (CRAs),
National Pension System Trust
Subject: Extension of cut-off date for exercising Option of Unified Pension Scheme
(UPS) under NPS by two months i.e., upto 30 November 2025- reg.
Please refer to the Regulation 3 (2) (i) of the Pension Fund Regulatory and
Development Authority (Operationalisation of the Unified Pension Scheme under
National Pension System) Regulations, 2025 dated 19! March, 2025, wherein, it is
provided that the exercise of option in respect of an eligible employee to be covered
under UPS shall be undertaken :- (i) within three months from 1s April 2025, or within
such extended timelines it any, allowed by the Central Government, in respect of a
person mentioned under clause (i) and clause (iii) of sub-regulation (1) of regulation 3
of the above regulations.
2. The Central Government of India has extended the cut-off date for exercising the
option for UPS by two months ie., upto 30% November 2025 in respect of the
following:
(i) migration to UPS from NPS by an existing Central Government employee in
service as on 1st April 2025, who is covered under NPS.
(ii) claim by (a) A Central Government employee who was covered under NPS and
who has superannuated or voluntarily retired or has retired under Fundamental
Rules 56 (j) (which is not treated as penalty under Central Civil Services
(Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965), on or before 31st March 2025; or
(b) the legally wedded spouse in case of a subscriber who has superannuated or
retired and has demised prior to exercising the option of UPS. _ A
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gear : 91—11—40717900, daa : www.pfrda.org.in
E-500, Tower -E, Fifth Floor, World Trade Center, Nauroji Nagar, New Delhi-110029
Phone : 91-11-40717900, Website : www.pfrda.org.in3. This circular is issued in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 14 of the
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 2013 and shall be effective
immediately.
(Vikas Kumar Singh)
Chief General Manager