Since the rollout of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) more than 1.18 lakh Central Government employees and eligible retirees have opted for the assured pension system. As of July 19, 2026, 1,18,195 subscribers had joined the scheme, including serving employees, new entrants, retired individuals and eligible family members, according to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
According to the Ministry of Finance, "Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), notified on 24.01.2025, has been introduced as an option under National Pension System (NPS) with the objective of providing assured monthly payout after retirement to the Central Government employees covered under the NPS."
The benefit was also extended to former retirees who retired on or before March 31, 2025 and served regularly for at least 10 years, as well as the legally wedded spouse of a former deceased retiree.
The government announced the scheme would aim to meet workers' expectations of security in their pensions without compromising on fiscal prudence.
"The UPS has been envisaged to address the demand of the employees covered under NPS regarding assured pension after retirement while ensuring fiscally responsible funded and contributory pension scheme," the ministry stated.
On the request of employee groups and associations, the deadline for opting in the scheme was extended to November 30, 2025. Moreover, UPS subscribers were also awarded with the Central Civil Service (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules 2021 for Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity.
The ministry also pointed out that benefits under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 or CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 2023 would continue to have access to the benefits for UPS in cases of death during service, invalidation or disability.
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The government also has matched the tax benefits of the UPS to those provided in the NPS and added a switch-back, in which employees who chose UPS can re-enroll in the NPS when they want.
"As the scheme has been rolled out w.e.f. 01.04.2025, Government has not reviewed the implementation and performance of the UPS as on date," the ministry said, adding that there is currently no proposal to modify or replace the scheme.