Examining the Eligibility of Central Government Employees Recruited before NPS Implementation for Coverage under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules
The Indian Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts has issued a letter dated March 9, 2023, addressed to various departments and individuals, including Chief Postmaster General/Postmasters General and Directors of Postal Training Centers. The letter refers to a Department of Pensions and Pension Welfare Order and instructs that central government employees who were recruited prior to the notification for the National Pension Scheme in 2003 may be eligible for pension benefits under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021. Such employees must exercise their options before August 31, 2023, and concerned departments are requested to take necessary actions accordingly.
No.25-08/2020-SPG (Part)
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi 110001
Dated 9.03.2023
To,
- All Chief Postmaster General/Postmasters General
- CGM, BD Directorate/Parcel Directorate/PLI Directorate
- Director, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy, Ghaziabad
- Addl. Director General, Army Postal Service, New Delhi
- Directors Postal Training Centres
Subject: Coverage under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, in place of National Pension System (NPS), of those Central Government employees who were recruited against the posts/vacancies advertised/notified for recruitment, on or before 22.12.2003
The undersigned is directed to forward herewith Department of Pensions and Pension welfare OM No. 57/05/2021-P&PW (B) dated 03.03.2023 on the above-mentioned subject.
2. It has been conveyed that in order to extend the benefit of the pension scheme under CCS (pension) rules 1972 (now 2021) to such employees whose appointment was made against the posts/vacancies advertised/notifies for recruitment prior to the date of notification for national Pension Scheme i.e. 22.12.2003, options shall be exercised by such employees before 31.08.2023.
3. It is therefore, requested to circulate the guidelines and instructions contained in the DOPPW’s OM dated 03.03.2023 to all concerned under your control and take necessary action accordingly. However, the cases of IPoS Group ‘A’ officers and other officers whose cadre Controlling Authority is in the Postal Directorate and who are covered under the instructions contained in the said OM may be forwarded along with options of the officers to the undersigned.
Yours faithfully,
(Hemant Kumar)
Asstt. Director General (SPG)