Archive · 21 Jul 2026
Centre Allows Select Employees to Opt for OPS
The Indian government has issued a clarification that allows certain employees who were appointed on compassionate grounds to choose the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) instead of the National Pension System (NPS).
This applies to employees who applied for compassionate appointment before January 1, 2004, but were appointed after that date.
The clarification was issued by the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) and is specific to eligible compassionate ground appointees.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is among the first to implement this clarification.
However, not all government employees are eligible for this option.
Certain Central government employees appointed on compassionate grounds can now opt for the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
Eligible employees must have applied for compassionate appointment before January 1, 2004, but were appointed after that date.
The clarification was issued by the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) on June 22, 2026.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is among the first to implement this clarification.
The clarification does not apply to all Central government employees or all NPS subscribers.
- Who
- Central government employees appointed on compassionate grounds
- What
- Clarification allowing eligible employees to opt for OPS
- When
- Clarification issued on June 22, 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- To address cases where applications for compassionate appointment were submitted before January 1, 2004, but appointments were made after that date
Eligible Employees
General Government Employees
Eligibility for OPS
Eligible Employees
Eligible employees who applied for compassionate appointment before January 1, 2004, but were appointed after that date can opt for OPS.
General Government Employees
The clarification does not permit all Central government employees or all NPS subscribers to switch to the Old Pension Scheme.
- Date of Clarification
- June 22, 2026
- Cut-off Date for Application
- December 31, 2003
- Date NPS Came into Effect
- January 1, 2004
- Department Issuing Clarification
- Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW)
- First Organization to Implement
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)