K. Suman Chandra Vs Union of India And Others (Supreme Court of India)
SC: Employee Who Accepted CPF Scheme and Raised GPF-Pension Claim Only After Retirement Cannot Reopen Accepted Service Conditions
In K. Suman Chandra v. Union of India & Ors. [2026 INSC 893], the Supreme Court considered whether an employee of the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), who had throughout been governed by the Contributory Provident Fund (CPF) Scheme, could after retirement claim coverage under the General Provident Fund-cum-Pension (GPF) Scheme.
The petitioner initially joined NIRD as a Research Associate on contractual basis in 1984, when he was expressly placed under the CPF Scheme. His services were subsequently regularised in different capacities, and he ultimately became a Professor. His contractual service as Professor was regularised by Office Order dated 4 May 2012. He retired on 31 January 2017 and thereafter received his retirement benefits, including both his own and NIRD’s contribution under the CPF Scheme.
After retirement, he approached the Central Administrative Tribunal contending that he ought to have been covered by the GPF-cum-Pension Scheme. The CAT allowed his claim, relying upon its earlier decision in the case of another NIRD Professor, S.S.P. Sharma, whose services had also been regularised under the same 2012 Office Order.
