**Executive Summary**
This document responds to questions regarding the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) raised in Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025. It clarifies the number of employees who opted for UPS, the provisions for switching back to the National Pension System (NPS), the timeline for joining UPS, and the assured payout rules under CCS Rules, 2025. Key deadlines include timeframes for switching back to NPS, and the extended deadline to join UPS was November 30, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Employee Participation:**
* 1,22,123 employees, including new joiners, existing employees, and past retirees, opted for UPS as of November 30, 2025.
* **One-Time Switch Facility (UPS to NPS):**
* Central Government employees who opted for UPS can revert to NPS during their service, subject to conditions.
* Timeframes for switching:
* Superannuation: No later than 12 months prior to superannuation date.
* Voluntary Retirement: No later than 3 months prior to the deemed date of voluntary retirement.
* Resignation/Compulsory Retirement (non-penalty): At the time of resignation/retirement.
* The switch facility is not available in cases of removal, dismissal, or compulsory retirement as a penalty or when disciplinary proceedings are ongoing.
* **UPS Implementation & Timeline:**
* UPS came into effect on April 1, 2025.
* The initial option to opt into UPS was available until June 30, 2025.
* The timeline was extended to September 30, 2025, and then to November 30, 2025.
* **Payout Rules (CCS Rules, 2025):**
* Central Civil Services (Implementation of the Unified Pension Scheme under the National Pension System) Rules, 2025, regulate the service-related matters.
* Minimum 25 years of qualifying service: Assured payout at 50% of average basic pay (last 12 months).
* Proportionate payout for 10 to 25 years of service.
* Assured minimum payout of Rs. 10,000 per month after 10 years of service.
* Family payout @60% to legally wedded spouse upon demise of payout holder.
* Children are not entitled to receive 60% of assured family payout under UPS.
**Impact Analysis**
**Central Government Employees who opted for UPS**
* **Impact:** Can switch back to NPS subject to conditions and timelines; governed by payout rules.
* **Action Required:** Understand timelines for switching back to NPS, and familiarize themselves with the new payout rules under CCS Rules, 2025.
**Legally Wedded Spouses of deceased UPS holders**
* **Impact:** Entitled to family payout of 60% of admissible payout to holder before demise.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of the benefits available under the UPS scheme.
**Children of deceased UPS holders**
* **Impact:** Not entitled to receive 60% of assured family payout under UPS
* **Action Required:** Be aware of the benefits available under the UPS scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Unified Pension Scheme (UPS): A pension scheme, which is the main topic of the document. It details the scheme's switch facility, conditions, and timeframes.
Central Civil Services (Implementation of the Unified Pension Scheme under the National Pension System) Rules, 2025: Rules notified by the Government to regulate service-related matters of Central Government employees who opted for UPS under NPS. Specifies payout rules and minimum service requirements.
National Pension System (NPS): The pension system that the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) offers an alternative to.
CCS Rules, 2025: Revised rules under which full assured payouts are issued, related to the minimum years of service.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2389
ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 15 DECEMBER, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 24, 1947 (SAKA)
Unified Pension Scheme
2389 SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL
Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of employees who opted for Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) instead of National
Pension System (NPS) till date;
(b) whether the Government has introduced the one-time, one-way switch facility under the UPS allowing
employees who opted for UPS to move back to the NPS and if so, the details including the conditions
and timeframe for exercising this facility;
(c) whether the Government has extended the timeline for exercising the option to join UPS and if so, the
details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has issued revised rules under CCS Rules, 2025 for full assured payout and if
so, the details including the minimum years of service; and
(e) whether children are entitled to receive 60% of assured family payout under UPS in cases where the
spouse is not alive, if so, the details thereof and if not, the alternative benefits payable to such children
under the UPS framework?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE
(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a) The total number of employees, including new joinees, existing employees, and past retirees, who opted
Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) as on 30.11.2025 is 1,22,123.
(b) The Government has allowed the Central Government employees, who opted for UPS, one-time one-way
switch facility to revert back to NPS any time during their service, subject to the following conditions and
timeframes:
(i) In case of superannuation: not later than twelve months prior to the date of superannuation;
(ii) In case of voluntary retirement: not later than three months prior to the deemed date of voluntary
retirement;
(iii) In case of resignation or compulsory retirement under Fundamental Rule 56(j), which is not a penalty: at
the time of resignation or compulsory retirement.
This facility of one-time one-way switch will not be allowed in case of removal, dismissal or compulsory
retirement as a penalty or for cases where disciplinary proceedings are ongoing or contemplated.
(c) UPS came into effect on 01.04.2025. The window for exercising the option to opt for UPS was initially
available up to 30.06.2025. This timeline was subsequently extended first up to 30.09.2025 and thereafter
further extended up to 30.11.2025.
(d) & (e) Government has notified the Central Civil Services (Implementation of the Unified Pension Scheme
under the National Pension System) Rules, 2025, to regulate the service related matters of Central Government
employees who opted for UPS under NPS. For a minimum qualifying service of 25 years, assured payout at
rate of 50% of the average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months prior to superannuation shall be payable.
This payout to be proportionate for lesser service period subject to a minimum of 10 years of service. Further,
after minimum qualifying service of 10 years, assured minimum payout of Rs.10,000 per month on
superannuation shall be payable
F amily payout @60% of the payout admissible to the payout holder, immediately before his demise, will be
paid to the legally wedded spouse. Children are not entitled to receive 60% of assured family payout under
UPS.
*******