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India Today
30-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Only 1.35% central government staff opt for Unified Pension Scheme. Here's why
A Right to Information (RTI) response obtained by India Today has revealed that the migration rate from the National Pension System (NPS) to the recently introduced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) among Central Government employees remains exceptionally of July 20, 2025, only 30,989 employees have chosen UPS out of approximately 23 lakh (2.3 million) employees enrolled in NPS, marking a participation rate of just 1.35%.advertisementThis data—provided by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) to India Today—offers critical insight into the cautious response of government employees to this flagship pension initiative. Separately, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on July 28, the Finance Ministry informed that as of July 20, a total of 31,555 employees had opted for the THE TEPID RESPONSE?Despite high expectations from policymakers and repeated emphasis on UPS's assured benefits, just 1.35% of NPS-covered employees have chosen to switch. The remaining eligible staff seem either content with NPS's flexibility and tax perks or are skeptical of the new hybrid the deadline for opting into UPS was June 30, 2025. However, in light of subdued participation, the government quietly extended the window by three months, pushing it to September 30, 2025. Employees who do not opt in by this extended deadline will remain with NPS, with no further chance of asked why Central government employees are not embracing the new scheme, S. B. Yadav, Secretary General of the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers, told India Today:'Employees comparatively prefer OPS; they are inclined towards that only. They want a non-contributory, defined, statutory pension plan.'His remarks reflect a longstanding sentiment among government workers who see defined-benefit systems like the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) as more secure and predictable, especially in uncertain economic AK Bhagi, President of the Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) and a member of the RSS-affiliated National Democratic Teachers' Front (NDTF), said the exclusion of autonomous institutions like Delhi University from the UPS framework has further eroded trust: 'The Government of India has not extended the option of the University Pension Scheme (UPS) to University of Delhi employees, citing its status as an autonomous body.""Nor has it provided the option to switch to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in the event of an employee's demise—a benefit available to Central Government employees. DUTA demands that all Government of India notifications related to pension be implemented for DU employees as well. We have consistently raised the demand for OPS to be extended to employees of both government and autonomous institutions," he added. OPS vs NPS vs UPSadvertisementThe OPS, discontinued for new entrants in 2004, promised a fixed pension equalling 50% of an employee's last drawn salary. It required no employee contribution and was fully government-funded. However, the mounting pension bill led to its replacement by the NPS, a market-linked, defined-contribution scheme under which employees contribute 10% of their salary while the government adds 14%.The UPS attempts to merge the two models. It retains employee contributions but guarantees a pension equivalent to 50% of the average basic pay drawn in the final 12 months of service. A floor of 10,000 per month is set for those with at least ten years of service. The scheme also includes inflation-indexing to preserve real these assurances, the transition to UPS has found few CLARIFICATIONIn response to India Today's queries, the PFRDA clarified that it does not maintain state-wise, month-wise, or department-wise data on UPS adoption. It also confirmed that it does not separately track opt-in numbers for officers from the All-India Services, such as IAS, IPS, and IFS cadres. This lack of granular transparency makes it difficult to assess how specific departments or senior officials are responding to the just two months remaining before the final deadline lapses, the fate of the Unified Pension Scheme hangs in the balance. While it was designed to bridge the gap between fiscal responsibility and employee demands for security, the initial numbers suggest it has yet to earn the trust of the very constituency it was meant to reassure. Whether the scheme can gain momentum or joins a long list of policy reforms that failed to scale remains to be seen.- Ends
The Sun
22-07-2025
- The Sun
Teachers remain key for verifying AI-generated info in classrooms says Fadhlina
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Education (MOE) is rolling out multiple artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives to enhance teaching and learning in schools, according to Minister Fadhlina Sidek. However, she stressed that AI-generated information still requires verification by skilled educators, with teachers remaining the most trusted source in classrooms. 'Various UNESCO reports consistently emphasise that technology should only serve as a tool to support education,' she said during her speech at the national-level Digital Utilisation and Technology Awards (DUTA) 2024 ceremony. Fadhlina explained that digital transformation in Malaysia's education system must prioritise human capital development and teacher professionalism. She noted that technological advancements are only meaningful when supported by knowledgeable and creative educators. During the event, two teachers were honoured as Digital Teacher Icons for their contributions to digital education. Mohammad Aliff Halmi from SK Tampang, Penang, was named Guru Penyelaras Teknologi, Komunikasi dan Maklumat (ICT) Icon, while El Gamillo Habibun Tan from SK Bukit Gasing, Terengganu, received the Guru Peneraju Generasi Digital Icon award. Both winners received RM800 and a trophy. In the District Education Office (PPD) category, PPD Dungun took first place, followed by PPD Batu Pahat and PPD Alor Gajah. Winners received trophies and tablets sponsored by the National Book Council of Malaysia. The DUTA 2024 ceremony, introduced in 2020, recognises excellence in digital education among students, teachers, and education leaders, reinforcing MOE's commitment to ethical and innovative tech use in schools. - Bernama
News18
21-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Delhi University Teachers Association elections to be held on September 4
New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) The Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) will go to polls on September 4 to elect its president and 15 members of the Executive Committee for the 2025–2027 term, as per the election schedule released by the DUTA Election Officer on Monday. According to the schedule, the voting will be held from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Arts Building Complex and Satyakam Bhawan, North Campus, University of Delhi. Counting of votes will commence the same day from 6:00 pm onwards. The last date for membership to be eligible to vote is August 12, by 11:59 pm. The draft electoral roll will be published on August 19 at 5:00 pm, and objections to it can be filed until August 21 at 5:00 pm. The final electoral roll will be released on August 23 at 2:00 pm. Filing of nominations will begin on August 25 and continue on August 26, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Scrutiny of nominations will be conducted on August 26 from 3:00 pm onwards. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is August 27 at noon, and the final list of candidates will be published the same day at 2:00 pm. Nomination forms will be available at the DUTA office or on the official website ( starting at 2:00 pm on August 25. The forms must be submitted in a sealed box kept at the DUTA office after they have been filled out For casting their votes, teachers must carry a valid photo identity card issued by their respective department/college/institution or a DUTA-formatted ID card. Mobile phones will not be allowed inside the polling booths. The entire election process is being overseen by M Thirumal, who has been appointed the Election Officer for DUTA Elections 2025–2027. The election is being closely watched, as it will determine the new leadership at a time when several critical academic and administrative issues are being discussed at the University of Delhi. PTI MHS MHS AMJ AMJ view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 19:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
17-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
DUTA Opposes DU's FYUP Rollout, Cites Lack Of Faculty, Infrastructure In Petition To President
Last Updated: DUTA has opposed DU's FYUP rollout, citing lack of faculty and infrastructure, and submitted a petition to the President urging reforms through proper consultation. The Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) has strongly opposed the implementation of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, calling it a 'recipe for failure." On Monday, DUTA submitted a petition to the President of India, highlighting serious issues related to academics, infrastructure, and policies, as reported by news agency PTI. The petition, endorsed by nearly 2,000 faculty members, was submitted through the Ministry of Education. The President, as the Visitor of Delhi University, has the authority to review the matter. At a press conference, DUTA President Prof A.K. Bhagi said the biggest issue is that DU lacks the resources and staff to manage the fourth year under FYUP. 'We need more teachers and better infrastructure to handle the increase in student intake. Right now, we have neither," he said. DUTA also asked for the withdrawal of the Draft UGC (University Grants Commission) Regulations 2025, arguing that such major changes shouldn't be introduced without the Pay Review Committee (PRC) report. They urged the government to address long-standing concerns related to faculty service conditions. Prof Bhagi warned that implementing FYUP without adequate classrooms, infrastructure, and teachers could harm students' education. 'This is a plan set to fail. We won't accept financial support if it comes at the cost of academic independence," he said. DUTA demanded special funding to help colleges upgrade their facilities. DUTA Secretary Dr Anil Kumar added that the draft UGC regulations should not be implemented as they are. He said they should instead be aligned with the upcoming 8th Pay Commission after broad discussions with faculty and other stakeholders. The teachers' body raised many concerns, including: DUTA opposed the use of these online platforms for earning academic credits, warning that it would weaken educational standards and reduce meaningful student-teacher interaction. DUTA Treasurer Dr Akanksha Khurana said that poorly planned policy changes without feedback or proper infrastructure could destabilise public universities and defeat the goals of NEP 2020. The association also repeated its earlier demands, such as: DUTA Vice President Dr Sudhanshu Kumar called for uniform service conditions across academic positions and the immediate recruitment of faculty through special drives. He highlighted delays caused by the 'Not Found Suitable" clause, which is often used to reject eligible candidates. Prof Aditya Narayan Misra added, 'We're not against a four-year structure, but trying to implement it without the needed resources is bound to fail. You've cut teaching hours in half, doubled the number of students, and reduced lab sessions—how is this improving education?" He warned that if their demands are ignored, teachers may have to take to the streets in protest. According to the current academic schedule, the fourth year of FYUP will begin on August 1. While DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh earlier called it a 'game changer" focused on research, entrepreneurship, and skill-building, DUTA argues that the university lacks the faculty and infrastructure to support such ambitions. In conclusion, DUTA urged both the President and the Union Education Ministry to ensure that all reforms are based on academic freedom, teacher welfare, and consultation with stakeholders, rather than being forced through without proper preparation. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Recipe for failure: Delhi University teachers slam 4-year UG in plea to President
Raising alarm over what it calls a flawed rollout of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) has submitted a formal petition to the President of India. Backed by nearly 2,000 faculty members, the petition highlights a slew of academic, infrastructural, and policy shortcomings that, according to the association, threaten the very foundation of public higher a press conference on Monday, DUTA President Professor A K Bhagi stated that the university is ill-equipped to implement the additional fourth year of undergraduate education, citing severe shortages in teaching staff, classroom space, and infrastructure funding. "We simply do not have the resources to handle the increased student load. Implementing the FYUP without adequate preparation is bound to fail," he petition, routed through the Ministry of Education, also seeks the withdrawal of the Draft UGC Regulations 2025 in the absence of the Pay Review Committee (PRC) report. It further urges urgent action on long-standing service-related concerns, including delays in promotions and the recognition of ad-hoc service. Prof Bhagi cautioned that academic independence could be compromised if financial aid comes with strings attached. He called for immediate government intervention and special grants to help DU colleges upgrade their similar concerns, DUTA Secretary Dr Anil Kumar stressed that the new UGC regulations should only be introduced after the 8th Pay Commission recommendations are in place and following broad consultations with academic flagged several pressing issues, such as overcrowded classrooms and labs, overworked faculty, delayed academic calendars, and the growing mismatch between DU's curriculum and external platforms like SWAYAM and MOOCs. The association warned that counting credits from such platforms toward degrees could dilute academic rigor and reduce student-teacher Treasurer Dr Akanksha Khurana underscored that rolling out major policy changes without adequate infrastructure or stakeholder feedback risks undermining the objectives of NEP 2020. She also reiterated the association's demands to reinstate MPhil and PhD increments, fairly count previous ad-hoc service for promotion, remove arbitrary restrictions on senior professor posts, and fast-track the promotion process with a defined two-month petition serves as a strong signal to education policymakers that the implementation of NEP 2020, particularly FYUP, requires more than a policy mandate—it demands resources, planning, and inclusive dialogue.(With PTI inputs)- Ends
