The memorandum clarifies that the OM dated 03.03.2023 is not restricted to currently serving employees. Retired Central Government employees who are otherwise eligible for coverage under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) can also benefit from this option.
No. – 57/03/2022-P&P W(13)/8361 (1)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare
3 Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market,
New Delhi, Dated the 20th October, 2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Options for inclusion under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 ( now 2021) in accordance with DoPPW OM dated 03.03.2023 to those employees who have since been retired from service- reg.
The undersigned is directed to say that the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare administers pension related policy matters in respect to Central Government civil employees. This Department has issued instruction vide OM No. 57/05/2021-P&PW(B) dated 03.03.2023 giving one time option to the Central Government civil employee for inclusion under the CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972 ( now 2021) who has been appointed against a post or vacancy which was advertised/ notified for recruitment/ appointment prior to notification for National Pension System i.e. 22.12.2003. As per para 7 of this OM, it is for the appointing authority of the post against which such option has been exercised to examine and decide applicability of these instructions.
- References have been received seeking clarification on applicability of aforesaid instructions dated 03.03.2023 to the Central Government employees who have since retired from service before issue of these instructions.
- It is, therefore, clarified that there is no restriction on applicability of aforesaid OM dated 03.03.2023 to Central Government employees who are otherwise eligible for coverage under OPS and who has already retired from service. Since, in this case, employee has already availed benefits under NPS, the Government contribution and return thereon under the NPS would require to be refunded along with interest thereon by the Government servant in order to avail the benefit under CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972, in case, he is found eligible for coverage under old pension scheme in terms of DoPPW OM dated 03.03.2023.
(S. Chakrabarti)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
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