The Government of India has extended the deadline for exercising options under the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) by three months.
Eligible Central Government employees, past retirees, and legally wedded spouses of deceased retirees now have until 30 September 2025 to opt into the scheme.
Originally notified on 24 January 2025 by the Ministry of Finance, UPS aims to unify pension benefits under the broader National Pension System (NPS) umbrella. The operational guidelines were laid out by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) in March 2025. Initially, the window to opt in was set to close on 30 June 2025.
However, following numerous representations from stakeholders requesting an extension to ensure a more inclusive enrollment, the Ministry has acted decisively to revise the cut-off date.
This extension is expected to benefit not only current employees but also pensioners and families of deceased retirees, giving them ample time to assess and register for the scheme. The government’s proactive approach underscores its commitment to social security reform and financial inclusion.
