The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW), as the nodal department for Central Government pension policy, has issued guidelines to streamline the process of seeking clarification or advice from them. DoPPW emphasizes that its rules, like the CGS (Pension) Rules, 2021, are generally self-explanatory, and the implementation responsibility lies with the concerned Ministries, Departments, or Offices. It has been noted that some offices refer cases routinely without first thoroughly examining them against the relevant rules, leading to delays and requiring DoPPW to examine cases ab-initio that could have been resolved internally.
To ensure efficient decision-making and avoid such delays, the new guidelines mandate that only cases concerning employees covered under DoPPW rules (i.e., excluding railways, Defence personnel, PSUs, etc.) should be referred. All cases must be initially examined at the department’s level to reach a tentative conclusion. If a difficulty or ambiguity persists, the department may refer the matter to DoPPW, ensuring the proposal is comprehensive. It must detail the case background, the examination conducted, the tentative conclusion, and include specific references to the rule or provision requiring advice. Submissions should be made well in advance, preferably via e-file, and must be sent through the Administrative Ministry/Department with their comments and the Secretary’s approval to maintain a uniform policy stand.
No. 1/1 (51)/2024-P&PW(F)/9852
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioner& Welfare
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market,
New Delhi, Dated the 24th October, 2025
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Guidelines for referring the cases to Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) for advice / clarification / consultation.
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) is the Nodal Department for Pension and pension related policy matters for Central Government employees. DoPPW has formulated and issued many rules like CGS (Pension) Rules, 2021, regulations / OMs / guidelines etc. The implementation of these rules is the responsibility of the concerned Ministry / Department I Office. Wherever any difficulty in interpretation I implementation in respect of any particular rule is found, they can seek advice I clarification from DoPPW. It implies that the concerned office should first examine the case with reference to the relevant rules I regulations and shall come to a tentative conclusion. Even thereafter, if any advice / clarification / consultation with reference to any specific rule(s) point(s) is required, the case may be referred to DoPPW.
2. The rules notified by DoPPW are self-explanatory and have provisions clarifications for varied situations. It has, however, been observed that some Ministries I Departments / Offices refer certain cases involving above rules to this Department in routine manner without the cases being examined thoroughly at the first level in the respective Ministry / Department. Some offices refer such cases directly. This practice has resulted in situations where this Department is required to examine such cases ab-initio on behalf of the concerned Ministry I Department even those cases that could ideally be resolved at their level or Ministry / Department without any need to refer to this Department if examined properly by them initially.
3. As stated above, this Department has already circulated detailed rules / regulation / guidelines, the authority for their implementation. Decision making in most of the cases rests with the concerned Ministries / Departments / Offices. This Department vide OM of even number dated 12.12.2024 had circulated general guidelines regarding referring the cases to DoPPW for advice. However, it has been observed that still few offices do not follow these guidelines resulting delay in furnishing advice by DoPPW.
4. In view of the above and to avoid delays in decision making, the following fresh guidelines for referring the matter to DoPPW henceforth for advice clarification / consultation are prescribed as under:
i. The employees of railways, statutory bodies, Defence personnel autonomous bodies, PSU/Banks etc are not covered under the rules notified by DOPPW. Hence, only the cases covered under the rules of DoPPW should be referred for advice.
ii. The cases should initially be examined at the level of concerned Ministry / Department r Office thoroughly with reference to the provisions of the concerned rules / regulations.
iii. If, after such examination, a department still encounters difficulties, ambiguities or need otherwise, it may refer the matter to this Department incorporating the following:
a. A comprehensive proposal detailing the background, examination carried out by the department and its tentative conclusion.
b. Specific references to the rule / provisions on which advice / clarification / consultation is required.
c. detail of the case if not specifically covered by the prevalent rules regulations. The justification of the exemption, if any, required.
d. While sending the proposal, the name, designation (telephone numbers and e-mail ids) of the concerned officers may also be indicated.
e. The proposal well in advance along with all relevant record preferably through e-file (where e-file system is functional) should be referred through the administrative Ministry / Department along with their comments with the approval of the Secretary concerned. This is equally essential for the Ministries / Departments for maintaining uniform stand in all the similar cases concerning offices under their control.
5. The contents of this Office Memorandum may please be given ide publicity and brought to the notice of all concerned.
(Dhrubajyati Sengupta)
Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India
Tele. No. 24625540
To.
All Ministries/Departments/Organisations.
(As per standard list)
