Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has adopted the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for its employees, as approved in the 112th meeting of the Executive Committee, CBT, held on 25th February 2025. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has also notified the relevant regulations under the National Pension System (NPS) to operationalize the scheme. The UPS applies to three categories: (i) employees in service as of 1st April 2025 who are covered under NPS, (ii) new recruits joining on or after 1st April 2025, and (iii) employees under NPS who retired before 31st March 2025, including eligible spouses of deceased retirees.
Eligible employees must opt for coverage under UPS by submitting the required forms within three months of 1st April 2025, or within 30 days of joining service for new recruits. The government may extend these deadlines if necessary. Once exercised, the option is final and irrevocable. EPFO offices are directed to ensure all eligible employees make their selections within the prescribed timeframe. The directive is issued with the approval of the Competent Authority, ensuring compliance with the regulatory framework.
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation
Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India
Head Office
NBCC Centre, Block-2, Ground-4th Floor, East Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi-110023
No. (E-981962)HRD-II/60/2025/UPS-Adoption/ 1324 Date: 28/03/2025
To,
All Additional Central P.F. Commissioners (HQ)/Director (PDNASS),
All Additional Central P.F. Commissioners (Zones)/Addl. CPFC(ASD),
All RPFCs/OIC-in-Charge of Region.
Subject: Adoption of the Unified Pension Scheme for EPFO employees-reg
Madam/Sir,
The Executive Committee, CBT in its 112th meeting held on 25.02.2025 vide agenda item no. 03 has approved the adoption of the Unified Pension Scheme for EPFO employees.
2. Further, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) vide its notification dated 19.03.2025 has notified PFRDA (Operationalisation of Unified Pension Scheme under National Pension System) Regulations, 2025. These regulations lay down the framework to operationalise the UPS notified by the Central Government and define the obligations, roles and responsibilities of intermediaries and such Central Government offices as are involved with implementation thereof, and for the matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
3. The option to avail benefits under UPS are available to employees in service as on 1st April 2025 and are covered under NPS; (ii) new recruits joining on or after the 1st April 2025; and (iii) (a)those employee who was covered under NPS who has superannuated or voluntarily retired or has retired under Fundamental Rules 560) (which is not treated as penalty under Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965), on or before 31st March 2025.(iii)(b) The legally wedded spouse of a subscriber who has superannuated or retired and has demised before exercising the option is also eligible.
4. Eligible employees must exercise their option to be covered under UPS using the relevant form as provided in the PFRDA (Operationalisation of Unified Pension Scheme under National Pension System) Regulations, 2025 in the prescribed timeline:-
i. within three months from 1st April 2025, or within such extended timelines if any, allowed by the Central Government, in respect of a person mentioned under clause (i) and clause(iii) of sub-regulation (1) of regulation 3; and
ii. within thirty days, from the date of joining service or within such extended timelines, if any, allowed by the Central Government, in respect of a person mentioned under sub-clause (ii) of sub-regulation (1) of regulation 3
5. The option once exercised shall be final and irrevocable.
6. All offices may ensure to take options from the eligible employees within the prescribed time-limit.
(This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority)
Yours faithfully,
(Saurabh Tripathi)
Regional P.F. Commissioner-I, HRD-I
Copy to:
1. PPS to CPFC
2. PPS to FA & CAO, CVO, ACC (HQ)
3. All Addl. Central PF Commissioners (HQ) & ACC (Zones) including ACC (ASD)
4. All Regional PF Commissioners
5. All DD (Vigilance)/ZAPs
6. All PPS, PA and SO in Head Office
7. RPFC, IS Division for web circulation
8. Secretary General, EPF Officers’ Association
9. Secretary General, AIEPF Staff Federation
10. Secretary General, AIEPF SC/ST Federation
11. Secretary General, AIEPF Employees’ Sangh
12. Hindi Section for Hindi Version
13. Guard file
(Saurabh Tripathi)
Regional P.F. Commissionei,I, HRD-I
