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Indian Express
24-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Chandigarh adopts old pension scheme for eligible employees covered under NPS
The Chandigarh Administration has announced a significant policy shift, transitioning eligible employees currently under the National Pension System (NPS) back to the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, aligning with a March 2023 directive from the Government of India. This decision, based on Office Memorandum No. 57/05/2021-P&PW(B) dated March 3, 2023, issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, targets employees appointed to posts or vacancies advertised or notified on or before December 22, 2003, but who joined service on or after January 1, 2004, and were thus enrolled in the NPS. The move addresses long-standing demands from government employees for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), which guarantees a fixed pension post-retirement, unlike the market-linked NPS. The OPS, seen as a more secure option, offers 50% of the last drawn salary as pension, adjusted for inflation, providing greater financial stability for retirees. The NPS, introduced in 2004, relies on contributions from employees and employers, with returns subject to market fluctuations, raising concerns among employees about retirement security. The Chandigarh Administration has mandated that the process of identifying eligible employees and completing their transition to the CCS (Pension) Rules be finalised by August 15, 2025. This involves verifying service records and ensuring compliance with the central directive, a task assigned to respective departments. Officials have hailed the decision as a progressive step toward enhancing social security for long-serving government personnel, reinforcing the administration's commitment to employee welfare. This policy shift reflects a broader trend across states like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh, which have also reinstated the OPS in response to employee unions' demands. However, critics argue that reverting to the OPS could strain public finances, given its non-contributory nature and rising pension liabilities. For Chandigarh's employees, the decision is a welcome relief, promising greater certainty in their post-retirement lives.
Hans India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Centre launches NSCSTI 2.0 to strengthen India's civil services training ecosystem
New Delhi: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh, launched the National Standards for Civil Service Training Institutes 2.0 (NSCSTI 2.0) on Friday, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the India's civil services training ecosystem to build a future-ready citizen-centric civil service. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has removed unreasonable barriers separating public and private sectors, enabling the best practices from all domains to be harnessed. This framework is an outcome of that vision. The Minister emphasised the need for extending customised training modules to scientific institutions, stressing the importance of administrative preparedness in addition to technical expertise. The upgraded NSCSTI 2.0 framework presents a more refined, inclusive, and future-ready approach to civil services training. It has been simplified and streamlined, with the number of evaluation metrics rationalized from 59 to 43, ensuring greater clarity and a sharper focus on outcome-based assessments. The framework is field-informed, drawing extensively from consultations with over 160 Civil Service Training Institutes (CSTIs), assessors, and domain experts, making it grounded in real-world training challenges and needs. Its inclusive design makes it adaptable for training institutes across all levels of government -- Central, State, and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Recognising the shifting learning landscape, the framework is also digitally aligned, embracing hybrid learning models and AI-driven training mechanisms. Most importantly, it is forward-looking, integrating progressive elements such as Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), the Karmayogi Competency Model (KCM), and the Amrit Gyaan Kosh (AGK), thereby aligning with India's vision of building a future-ready, competent, and citizen-centric civil service. Recounting the global interest in India's civil services reform model, Dr. Jitendra Singh shared that countries like Bangladesh, South Africa, and Maldives have shown keen interest in studying Mission Karmayogi. 'This is a testament to India's leadership in governance reform,' he said. NSCSTI 2.0 also enhances policy visibility, reaffirming the government of India's commitment to institutional excellence and long-term capacity building. The framework serves as a strong motivational tool for CSTIs, encouraging them to embrace innovation, adopt best practices, and pursue continuous improvement. It also builds public awareness by positioning accreditation not merely as a compliance requirement but as a meaningful driver of quality and performance. With the reactivation of the accreditation portal, the framework ensures full operational readiness for a streamlined and transparent accreditation process. Additionally, it fosters cross-learning, enabling training institutes to benefit from the shared experiences and success stories of top-performing CSTIs across the country In just two years, over 195 CSTIs have already been accredited under NSCSTI. The upgraded version builds on real-time feedback and CBC's principle of participatory governance. Developed by the Capacity Building Commission (CBC), the revamped framework marks a major leap in India's mission to build a future-ready civil service. The Minister highlighted how the framework supports cooperative and competitive federalism, empowering institutes to evaluate and upgrade themselves. 'Just as the Aspirational Districts Programme enabled backward districts to outshine expectations, NSCSTI 2.0 encourages CSTIs to introspect, innovate and pursue excellence,' Dr. Singh noted.
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Odisha hosts good governance meet; Centre unveils new farm scheme targeting 100 districts
BHUBANESWAR: Union minister of state (independent charge) for Science and Technology, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh on Thursday said the Centre would soon roll out a new scheme focusing exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors in 100 districts across the country. Addressing the two-day national conference on good governance here, Dr Singh said, the first-of-its-kind Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) draws inspiration from NITI Aayog's aspirational district programme and aims at enhancing adoption of crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices, augment post-harvest storage at the panchayats and blocks. 'Like the aspirational district programme, 100 districts will be identified based on three key indicators of low productivity, low cropping intensity and less credit disbursement. A district plan will be finalised with progressive farmers as members. Committees will be formed at district, state and national level for effective planning, implementation and monitoring,' he said. The Union minister elaborated critical dimensions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led reforms in governance and termed them as revolutionary, breaking away from outdated practices and challenging long-held conventions. 'Several initiatives such as the centralised public grievance redress and monitoring system and digital life certificate have evolved into global models of innovative governance. Most importantly, India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which has now surpassed global payment systems like VISA in terms of usage,' he said. Dr Singh said a key hallmark of the Modi administration has been its decisive departure from the 'status quo' approach of the past. 'As a result, over 1,600 obsolete and archaic laws have been repealed, significantly reducing administrative burdens and promoting greater efficiency and transparency in governance,' he added. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said good governance is not the prerogative of a few, but the right of every citizen and the solemn duty of every public servant.
News18
19-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Unified Pension Scheme: Employees Now Eligible For Retirement, Death Gratuity Benefits, Says Minister
Last Updated: Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State for Personnel, says the new provision reflects government's commitment to ensure social security for all categories of employees under NPS. All central government employees part of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) will now be eligible for retirement and death gratuity benefits available under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday. Responding to this long-pending demand by a large section of government employees, he said, the move addresses a significant demand of government staff and brings parity in retirement benefits. Singh, the Minister of State for Personnel, said the new provision reflects the government's commitment to ensure social security for all categories of employees under the National Pension System (NPS). Addressing a presser on the 'transformational" journey of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions over the last 11 years, he highlighted a series of reforms aimed at simplifying governance, empowering citizens, and humanising administration. Central government employees covered under the UPS will now be eligible for retirement and death gratuity benefits, as per the provisions of the Central Civil Services (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules, 2021, Singh said. The Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW), under the Personnel Ministry, on Wednesday issued an order on the 'options to avail benefits under Old Pension Scheme on death of government servant during service or his discharge from government service on account of invalidation or disability for central government servants covered under Unified Pension Scheme". 'The order gives an employee the option to revert to OPS in case of death in service. It is progressive in nature and addresses the clarifications being sought by employees," DoPPW Secretary V Srinivas told PTI. President of the All India NPS Employees Federation, Manjeet Singh Patel, welcomed the order and termed it a historic and much-needed move by the government. Patel said the inclusion of death-cum-retirement gratuity in UPS will remove all the misconceptions of the employees. He said, the inclusion of OPS benefits in case of death or disability of any employee during the service under UPS is a great justice. 'Therefore, a lot of employees will opt for the UPS now," Patel said. The DoPPW had notified the Central Civil Services (Implementation of National Pension System) Rules, 2021, to regulate service-related matters of central government employees covered under the NPS. Under these, Rule 10 provides for the option to be exercised by every central government employee covered under the NPS for availing benefits under the NPS or the Old Pension Scheme in the event of death of a government servant during service or his discharge on the ground of invalidation or disablement. 'UPS has been notified as an option under the NPS. Therefore, it has been decided that the central government civil employees who opt for UPS under the NPS shall also be eligible for option for availing benefits under UPS or the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 or the CSS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 2023 in the event of death of the government servant during service or his discharge on the ground of invalidation or disablement," the order said. The finance ministry, on January 24, issued a notification regarding the introduction of UPS as an option under the NPS for recruits to the central government civil service with effect from April 1, 2025. It gives a one-time option to the central government employees covered under the NPS for inclusion under the UPS. Every central government servant who opts for the UPS under the National Pension System shall, at the time of joining the service, exercise an option in Form 1 for availing benefits under the UPS or under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 or the CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 2023 in the event of his/her death or boarding out on account of disablement or retirement on invalidation, the order said. 'Existing government servants, who have opted for the Unified Pension Scheme under the National Pension System, shall also exercise such option as soon as possible after the notification of these clarifications," it said. In the case of the death of a government servant while in service, the last option exercised by the deceased employee before his death shall be treated as final, and the family shall have no right to revise the option, said the order issued to all central government departments. The DoPPW also issued another order on Wednesday to clarify that the central government employees covered under the UPS shall also be eligible for the benefit of retirement gratuity and death gratuity under the provisions of the Central Civil Service (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules, 2021. DoPPW Secretary Srinivas said this order 'brings parity between the NPS and UPS pensioners and they will be eligible for Rs 25 lakh gratuity also". Both these orders were released by Singh during the conference. What Is Unified Pension Scheme? The Union Cabinet in August 2024 approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), for an assured pension post-retirement. The UPS has been implemented from April 1, 2025. The move comes after the long-pending demand of the central government employees to reform the new pension scheme (NPS). It is the latest pension scheme for government employees. Under the UPS, there will be a provision of a fixed assured pension, unlike the New Pension Scheme (NPS) which does not promise a fixed pension amount. The Unified Pension Scheme has five pillars: Assured Pension: Under the UPS, the fixed pension will be 50 per cent of the average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months prior to superannuation for a minimum qualifying service of 25 years. This pay is to be proportionate for lesser service period up to a minimum of 10 years of service. Assured Family Pension: It will also have an assured family pension, which is 60 per cent of the pension the employee was receiving. It will be given immediately in case of the retiree's demise. Assured Minimum Pension: In the case of superannuation after a minimum 10 years of service, the UPS has a provision of an assured minimum pension of Rs 10,000 per month. Inflation Indexation: There is a provision of indexation benefit on assured pension, on assured family pension and assured minimum pension. top videos View all Gratuity: Lump-sum payment at superannuation in addition to gratuity. It will be 1/10th of the monthly emolument (pay + dearness allowance) as on the date of superannuation for every completed six months of service. This payment will not reduce the quantum of assured pension. (With Inputs from PTI) About the Author Business Desk A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover More Stay updated with all the latest business news, including market trends, stock updates, tax, IPO, banking finance, real estate, savings and investments. Get in-depth analysis, expert opinions, and real-time updates—only on News18. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : National Pension Scheme (NPS) Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 18, 2025, 19:19 IST News business » savings-and-investments Unified Pension Scheme: Employees Now Eligible For Retirement, Death Gratuity Benefits, Says Minister
India Gazette
18-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Union Minister Jitendra Singh lauds 11 years of Modi govt; says era marked a
New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday lauded the extensive administrative reforms that have reshaped India's governance landscape on the occasion of the completion of 11 years of the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasising their profound socio-economic implications during the time. Speaking to reporters after addressing a conference on '11 years of the transformational journey of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions', Singh underscored the government's focus on leveraging technology to enhance ease of living and governance while also addressing historical injustices and promoting compassionate policies. 'The administrative reforms that happened in the last 11 years were not limited to governance... They had huge socio-economic ramifications. There was an effort to promote ease of living and ease of governance by using technology... PM Modi pledged that the sections of society who did not get complete justice and were deprived of their rights will be taken care of. By ending the British Empire's dubious legacy of getting certificates attested by a gazetted officer, PM Modi sent a huge message that he trusts the youth to take the country's reins in their hands,' the Union Minister stated. 'A provision was brought that despite stillbirth, a woman can get the right to childcare leave and maternity leave... Such reforms have been introduced, which are compassionate and also have the scope for far-reaching impact,' he added. The PM Modi-led NDA government is marking the completion of 11 years in office this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was first sworn in on May 26, 2014, and assumed office for a third consecutive term on June 9 last year. Outlining the 11 years of the transformational journey of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, the Union Minister highlighted a series of reforms aimed at simplifying governance, empowering citizens and humanising administration. He highlighted the announcement that the Central government employees who are covered under the 'Unified Pension Scheme' will now be eligible for retirement and death gratuity benefits, as per the provisions of the Central Civil Service (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules, 2021 and emphasised the government doing away with redundant rules by repealing over 1,600 outdated provisions--many of them colonial-era legacies--as a strong message of trust in citizens, particularly India's youth. Meanwhile, responding to the Congress party's criticism of Indian foreign policy and diplomacy following PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump's telephonic conversation on the sidelines of the G7 summit, Singh dismissed the opposition's stance, saying, 'They (Congress) would not be called Opposition if they don't oppose... We have put figures to compare the situation before 2014 and now... This is an evidence-based figures support the fact that the last 11 years have been a turning point for India, both domestically and internationally. The esteem of Indians has gone up.' (ANI)
